How long do you recommend waiting before competitive sports athletes resume sports activities following inpatient management for an NSTEMI?
Dear Dr. @Dr. First Last - thank you for your question. We address this issue in the new ACC/AHA Scientific Statement by Kim et al., PMID 39976316.
Clinical Considerations for Competitive Sports Participation for Athletes With Cardiovascular Abnormalities: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology
Section X deals with Masters athletes and suggests the following:
| Acute coronary syndrome |
| Specific clinical considerations |
| After an acute coronary syndrome, participation in a structured cardiac rehabilitation exercise training program (time and intensity can be accelerated on an individual basis) should be completed before participation in competitive sports. |
| It is reasonable for Masters a... |
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Great question. Assuming complete revascularization, and they are low risk, no symptoms, normal LVEF, no residual CAD stenosis over 70% and then I usually exercise them after 3 months to confirm no ischemia. I do a full 3 months of rehab, get LDL to under 60 and manage other CAD risk factors.
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