A new study conducted over 2,000 athletes has revealed that life-threatening cardiovascular disorders can even occur in sportspersons but they often go unnoticed.

The study was conducted by a research team led by Dr. Paulo Adami from the Institute of Sport drugs and Science of the Italian Olympic Committee. He short-listed athletes for the Olympic Games between 2004 and 2014.

A total of 2,354 elite athletes took part in the study, out of which 1,435 were men and 919 were women. They were associated with 15 different winter and 31 different summer sports. The median age of the participants was 27.6 years.

Tests enclosed graphical record tests each at rest and whereas doing exercise and ultrasound scans of their hearts. The researchers screened for cardiovascular disorders, i.e. they were made to undergo 24-hour ECG monitoring.

The findings revealed that a large number of participants who have very high level of fitness and performance were detected with cardiovascular conditions.

The researchers found that out of the 2,354 athletes tested, 171 were diagnosed with cardiovascular abnormalities of some type.

This came as a shock to the researchers as how Olympic athletes can also be become victims of cardiovascular abnormalities despite their extraordinary achievements and amazing physical performance.

Dr. Adami also mentioned that what’s more shocking is that some cardiovascular disorders detected in the athletes impose serious health risk. These abnormalities may also turn out to be life-threatening conditions.

It was found that out of the 171 were diagnosed with cardiovascular abnormalities; six individuals were the detected cardiovascular abnormality was life-threatening in nature. The abnormalities diagnosed in the participating athletes included coronary heart disease and cardiomyopathies.

Dr. Adami said, “This study demonstrates that an additional correct assessment is important for elite skilled athletes than for members of the overall population, in sight of the intensity and stress on their cardiovascular system”.