As sports cardiology continues to grow in prominence, the ACC's annual Care of the Athletic Heart conference has become the premier destination for clinicians looking to stay at the top of their game.

The three-day hybrid meeting, which kicked off on June 12, brought together global experts, physicians, trainers and sports medicine specialists to address cardiovascular care across the athletic spectrum – from elite competitors to weekend warriors. Co-chaired by Meagan Wasfy, MD, MPH, FACC, and Michael Papadakis, MBBS, MD, MRCP, and for the first time co-sponsored by the European Association of Preventive Cardiology, this year's event emphasized international collaboration, hands-on-skill-building and case-based learning.

"Sports cardiology is relevant to the daily practice of all physicians who prescribe exercise as part of healthy living, for cardiovascular disease prevention or those with cardiovascular disease. Whether you care for elite athletes or recreational exercisers, this is the course for you," said Papadakis.

One of the most anticipated sessions took place Friday morning, when Philadelphia 76ers point guard Jared Butler joined Mathew W. Martinez, MD, FACC, for a candid conversation on shared decision-making in athlete care. Butler's firsthand insights into navigating cardiac health while pursuing a professional basketball career brought a human dimension to the clinical discussions.

Key sessions tackled everything from interpreting CPETs and athlete ECGs to managing cardiovascular concerns in young, master and tactical athletes. Real-world clinical cases and posters – from a Navy submariner with atrial fibrillation to performance-enhancing drug-related cardiomyopathies – underscored the complexity and nuance of caring for this diverse population.

"We worked hard to put together the core curriculum that attendees need to start or improve their sports cardiology practice," said Wasfy. "Our focus was on putting together case-based, interactive learning that covers core sports cardiology tools such as ECG, imaging and CPET and how to apply these tools in the care of competitive and tactical athletes."

Available in person and online via ACC Anywhere, the conference made cutting-edge insights accessible to clinicians worldwide. And with more than 60 clinical cases and poster presentations attendees had no shortage of new data to dive into.

As the field continues to expand, so too does the need for education grounded in both science and empathy. Care of the Athletic Heart delivered on both fronts, leaving attendees better equipped to care for athletes in all forms – on the court, in the field or simply running that extra mile.

Read more information on the conference.

Clinical Topics: Arrhythmias and Clinical EP, Sports and Exercise Cardiology, Atrial Fibrillation/Supraventricular Arrhythmias

Keywords: Cardiology Magazine, ACC Publications, Performance-Enhancing Substances, Athletic Performance, Sports Medicine, Atrial Fibrillation, Athletes