Prof. Yasser Hosny Leading Expert in Cardiology, Interventional Cardiology & Sport

Early medical screening is a comprehensive medical examination conducted before practicing sports or participating in competitions. It aims to ensure the health of the heart and other organs and detect any health problems that may pose a risk during physical exertion.

Because:

• Reduces the risk of sudden cardiac complications

• Detects silent diseases without symptoms

• Protects the player from unexpected risks

• Ensures safe and confident exercise

📌 An athlete may appear healthy on the outside, but some heart conditions can only be detected through testing.

Yes, there are many serious cases:

• Does not cause symptoms

• Can only be detected by medical examination

• May first appear during intense exertion

For this reason, early detection is considered a preventive measure rather than a curative one.

Typically includes:

• Personal and family medical history

• Complete clinical examination

• Heart drawing

• Sound waves on the heart (echo)

• Stress tests when needed

• Additional tests depending on the type of sport and the age of the player

CPET (Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing) is the most accurate and comprehensive medical test for assessing the efficiency of the heart, lungs, circulatory system, and muscles during physical exertion. It is considered the global gold standard for measuring physical fitness and functional capacity under real physical stress.

Stress echocardiography monitors the heart and its changes during exercise while:

• CPET assesses the heart, lungs, and muscles together

• Accurately identifies the cause of poor performance or fatigue

• Distinguishes between cardiac or pulmonary causes of exertional dyspnea

• The actual cause of poor fitness is diagnosed as being related to the heart, lungs, or muscles.

• Provides data that cannot be obtained from any other test

Therefore, CPET is completely different from exercise electrocardiography.