Understanding CRY’s Comprehensive Approach to Cardiac Screening and Research

At Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), our research extends far beyond the realm of sports cardiology. While we do focus on understanding the cardiac health of athletes, our mission is to address the heart health of all young individuals aged 14-35, with a strong emphasis on diagnosing and treating inherited cardiac conditions. These conditions are the leading cause of sudden cardiac death in young people, not just athletes, and occur regardless of exercise levels.

Sports Cardiology: A Key to Broader Understanding

One important arm of our research involves sports cardiology. By studying the extremes of athletic adaptation, we gain invaluable insights into how exercise affects the heart and how this compares to underlying cardiac conditions. Regular physical activity, especially at an elite level, can cause the heart to enlarge or thicken—a phenomenon known as “athlete’s heart.”

These adaptations, while normal for athletes, can mimic conditions such as:

• Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM): A condition where the heart’s chambers become enlarged and weakened.
• Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM): A thickening of the heart muscle, which is one of the most common causes of sudden cardiac death in young individuals.

By understanding the differences between athletic adaptation and inherited conditions, we refine the tools and criteria used to diagnose heart conditions, ensuring greater accuracy and earlier detection for all young people.

Advancing Diagnosis for Everyone

Through our studies of elite athletes, we enhance the accuracy of commonly used diagnostic tools, such as:

• 12-lead ECGs: A test that records the electrical activity of the heart.
• Echocardiograms (ultrasound scans): Used to visualize the heart’s structure and function.

These advancements improve our ability to differentiate between a healthy athletic heart and potential cardiomyopathies. This refined approach benefits not just athletes but every young individual undergoing cardiac screening, helping to save lives and provide peace of mind.

A Commitment to Saving Young Lives

CRY’s holistic approach to research, diagnosis, and treatment ensures that we tackle the root causes of sudden cardiac death in young people. Whether you are an athlete or not, our mission remains the same: to protect the heart health of young people and prevent tragedies through cutting-edge research and screening programs.

Learn more about our cardiac screening program and how we work to save young lives: [Link to screening program page].