By Parth Patel

Can You Play Football With Cardiomyopathy?

Playing football may be quite dangerous and should not be done without consulting a certified medical professional before making any definite decisions.

Understanding Cardiomyopathy

It is important to first understand what exactly cardiomyopathy is. According to the CDC, cardiomyopathy can result from many pathological changes in the heart however they all ultimately result in the heart being unable to properly pump blood which can lead to other life threatening issues. Simply put however, cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle itself.

Injury Mechanism

As mentioned previously there are many ways for cardiomyopathy to occur. Family history of cardiomyopathy, heart attacks, alcoholism, and autoimmune disorders are some of the many ways cardiomyopathy can occur. 

Symptoms/Risks

Key symptoms of cardiomyopathy include unexplained tiredness, breathlessness, and fainting among others. It may also put you at risk of developing other heart disorders such as heart failure as well.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of cardiomyopathy typically involves imaging such as CT and MRI. Both are soft tissue imaging techniques that will allow physicians to see the extent of disease and thus make more appropriate health recommendations. Electrocardiograms may also help in identifying presence of cardiomyopathy.

Sports Medicine Evaluation and Treatment

Although cardiomyopathy does not always show symptoms, it is still highly recommended to get a sports medicine evaluation before returning to any intense sports. Additionally, key symptoms of cardiomyopathy such as breathlessness as well as unexpected fainting may not only limit athletic progress but may also make it a life-threatening decision. There are multiple treatments available depending on the causes as well as severity of cardiomyopathy.

Nonsurgical Treatments

Nonsurgical treatments are a viable option for those with less severe cardiomyopathy. Adverse symptoms can be mitigated by usage of medications as well as keeping a well-balanced diet. It is also advised to stay away from alcohol, smoking, and illegal drugs to reduce the likelihood of further disease. (3) Additionally, as cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle itself, it is also essential to ensure the muscles are working to the best of their capacity. To do so, electrolyte supplements may be another great option to ensure optimum levels of certain electrolytes involved in muscle function.

Surgical Treatments

Various surgical treatments are also available depending on the cause as well as severity of cardiomyopathy. Open heart surgery may be a viable option for people with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a severe form of cardiomyopathy, in the case that medications aren’t causing any improvement. 

Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD)

Implants are another option of treatment. Pacemakers can allow the heart to maintain normal rhythm, increasing heart function which may lessen the symptoms of cardiomyopathy. An Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) is another viable option in patients who are especially prone to arrythmia resulting in worsening cardiomyopathy symptoms. An ICD can provide a shock to the heart to reset its rhythm thereby restoring some heart function. 

Injury Prevention

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

Electrocardiogram are a great option for monitoring especially in those patients who have risk factors for cardiomyopathy such as family history, alcohol use, or autoimmune disorders. An ECG works by graphing the electrical signals of the heart. In cardiomyopathy, normal function of the heart is disrupted resulting in pathological contraction of the heart muscles. These anomalous contractions can be detected noninvasively by the electrocardiogram and can clue doctors in to whether there may be possible develop of cardiomyopathy.

Conclusion

Ultimately, cardiomyopathy is not an uncommon condition nor is it necessarily life threatening. However, it may develop into a life-threatening condition which is why it is essential to make lifestyle choices to minimize additional risk factors as well as continue monitoring overall heart health. It may not be impossible to return to sports with such a condition but that is a decision that must be made after consulting with a licensed physician who can give recommendations on how to go forward based on multiple pieces of evidence.