Athletic individuals face a unique set of heart health risks. While problems may be rarer among athletes than sedentary people, cardiac conditions can cause serious or even life-threatening issues. High-intensity activity might even exacerbate certain heart diseases.

Common heart conditions that affect athletes include:

• Enlarged heart: Also known as athlete’s heart, an enlarged heart develops naturally in those who undergo intense physical training. However, an enlarged heart might also indicate a more harmful cause, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). A cardiologist can distinguish whether your enlarged heart puts you at risk.
• Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA): SCA is a rare but possibly deadly event in which a rapid heart rate deprives the heart and vital organs of blood, resulting in severe damage or death. Sudden cardiac death is twice as common in young athletes as in non-athletes. 
• Hypertension: High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is one of the most common heart-related conditions in athletes. Hypertension occurs when your blood pressure rises and forces your heart and blood vessels to work harder.
• Congenital heart defects: People born with a heart condition may not even realize they have one. Congenital heart diseases can be silent or lead to dangerous complications later in life, especially during physical activity when the heart is under stress.