Cardiological examination

Echocardiography

This is an advanced examination of the heart using ultrasound. Even in young adulthood, cardiomyopathies and valvular diseases can become manifest and lead to limitations in the ability to breathe and ultimately to danger. In cardiac ultrasound (also called cardiac echo), an assessment is readily possible without radiation and, due to the transducer resting on the chest wall, without any impairment to the person being examined. By recording the size of the heart, the thickness of the muscle wall, the elasticity and the valve function (assessment of the opening and closing function) of the four heart valves (aortic, mitral, tricuspid and pulmonary valves), echo diagnostics can largely exclude the presence of a disease of the heart muscle and heart valves in addition to the medical history, physical examination and resting ECG. The examination lasts approx. 15-20 min. The patient lies relaxed on the left side of the examination couch. The Sportklinik Frankfurt e.V. has a state-of-the-art ultrasound scanner of the latest generation at its disposal (GE Vivid S70N).

The echocardiographic examination is carried out every 2 years for the NK1, PK, WK, OK and national squad athletes and is part of the coronary follow-up examination.

Long-term blood pressure measurement

Long-term blood pressure measurement, usually over 24 hours, is used to record blood pressure values under everyday conditions. For this purpose, an upper arm cuff is applied, which measures and stores blood pressure values 4 times per hour during the day, while 2 measurements per hour are recorded at night. In the evaluation, there is a clear assignment of the blood pressure readings to the activity profile, which is documented in parallel. Mean values indicate whether the measured blood pressure values are within the normal range.

Ultrasound of the carotid arteries

As part of a check-up examination, it can be useful to gain insight into the condition of the arteries by means of an ultrasound examination of the carotid arteries (duplex carotid arteries). This is particularly recommended if there is an increased risk constellation for cardiovascular diseases, such as (previous) smoking. This is especially recommended when there is an increased risk constellation for cardiovascular diseases, such as (former) smoking, heart attack or stroke of 1st degree relatives (positive family history or familial disposition in case of early manifestation of the disease <55 years of age), elevated cholesterol levels, presence of diabetes mellitus or high blood pressure (arterial hypertension). These are the known risk constellations; others are still unknown and are the subject of current research.

Holter-Monitoring (24 h- ECG-Recording)

In Holter-monitoring, a 24h-ECG recording, the normal heart rhythm under everyday activities and its changes due to cardiac arrhythmias are usually recorded over 24 (to 48) hours. An initial assessment of whether it is a harmless or serious cardiac arrhythmia that requires further clarification is usually possible after evaluation. If complaints occur as a result of cardiac rhythm changes with, in particular, dizziness, blackouts or episodes with a very fast heartbeat, the recording of the long-term ECG can be a supplementary diagnostic method. In most cases, further examinations coordinated in a rhythm outpatient clinic are necessary.