Cardiac Risk in the Young – Bromley Sports Injury Clinic

Key Points

• Cardiac risk in the young refers to undiagnosed heart conditions that can cause sudden cardiac arrest, particularly in athletes between the ages of 14 and 35 years of age.

• Often these conditions have no warning signs until a serious event occurs.

• Simple, non-invasive tests such as ECGs (electrocardiograms) can help detect abnormalities early.

• At Bromley Sports Injury Clinic, we offer ECG screening and health checks to support safe participation in sport and daily life.

👉 Related: ECG Screening | Health Checks

 

What is Cardiac Risk in the Young?

Sudden cardiac death in young people, while rare, is often caused by undiagnosed heart conditions such as:

• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)

• Long QT syndrome

• Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC)

• Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome)

• Congenital structural heart abnormalities

These conditions may not cause symptoms but can be triggered by intense exercise or stress on the heart.

 

Symptoms to Watch For

While many young people with cardiac risk show no signs, possible warning symptoms include:

• Unexplained fainting, especially during exercise

• Family history of sudden cardiac death

• Palpitations or racing heartbeat

• Chest pain with exertion

• Unexplained shortness of breath or fatigue

👉 If these symptoms are present, prompt cardiac screening is strongly recommended.

 

Diagnosis & Screening

At Bromley Sports Injury Clinic we provide:

• ECG Screening – a painless, non-invasive test measuring the heart’s electrical activity

• Referral Pathways – if an abnormality is detected, we can refer for echocardiography or specialist cardiology review

• Health Checks & Blood Tests – to identify other risk factors such as cholesterol, blood pressure, and diabetes

 

Self-Help & Lifestyle Advice

• Young athletes should undergo cardiac screening before participating in high-level or endurance sport

• Know your family history and discuss it at your screening

• Avoid performance-enhancing drugs or excessive stimulant use (energy drinks, pre-workout powders)

• Maintain a healthy lifestyle — diet, exercise, sleep, and stress management all support heart health

 

Treatment Options at Bromley Sports Injury Clinic

✅ ECG screening – detecting electrical abnormalities in the heart
✅ Health checks – blood pressure, cholesterol, lifestyle factors
✅ Risk stratification – identifying individuals who may require referral to cardiology
 

Prevention

• Regular cardiac screening in young athletes and those with family history of cardiac events

• Awareness of warning symptoms and early medical evaluation

• Safe training practices and gradual progression in sport

• Routine health checks to address cardiovascular risk factors early

 

FAQs – Cardiac Risk in the Young

Q: Who should have cardiac screening?
Young athletes, those with a family history of heart problems, or anyone with unexplained fainting, chest pain, or palpitations.

Q: What tests do you offer?
We provide ECG screening and health checks, with referral for echocardiography if needed.

Q: Is the test invasive?
No. An ECG is quick, painless, and non-invasive.

Q: Does this replace hospital screening?
No. We provide community-based assessment and onward referral if required.

​

Book Your Appointment

Don’t leave heart health to chance. Book your cardiac screening at Bromley Sports Injury Clinic today to assess your cardiac risk and protect your future.

​

📍 Bromley Sports Injury Clinic | Same-week appointments available

​

Further Reading: Cardiac Risk In the Young (CRY)