title: Syncope in the athletic patient.
abstract: Syncope is a common but concerning event in athletic patients. As such, efforts must be made to distinguish presyncope from syncope with a critical distinction of syncope during exercise and postexercise syncope. Syncope most often occurs just after exercise and is usually benign; however, syncope during exercise may be a sign of pathologic structural or electrical cardiac issues. Solving this diagnostic puzzle mandates a detailed history and examination frequently augmented with diagnostic testing and imaging studies. Recommendations for treatment and potential restriction from activity also present challenging decisions to the health care provider.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Jeffrey L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Hastings
authors.forename: Benjamin D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Levine
mesh_terms: D056352:Athletes; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D015444:Exercise; D006801:Humans; D010807:Physical Endurance; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013575:Syncope / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy