What is the importance of shared decision-making when counselling competitive athletes with cardiovascular abnormalities?

In this short interview, Dr Jonathan Kim (Emory University, Atlanta, US) discusses the new scientific statement from AHA and ACC on clinical considerations for practitioners counselling competitive athletes with cardiovascular abnormalities. Dr Kim highlights the statement's focus on shared decision-making which requires the inclusion of the athlete within discussions and the importance of risk-stratification. Since the last update in 2015, the current statement includes new considerations on athletes older than the age of 35, athletes competing in extreme sports, and athletes with cardiovascular conditions not previously addressed.

Interview Questions:
1. Can you summarize the main purpose of this scientific statement from the AHA and ACC regarding athletes with cardiovascular abnormalities?
2. What are the key changes in the clinical considerations for athletes with cardiovascular abnormalities participating in competitive sports?
3. What role does shared decision-making between physicians, athletes, and families play in the guidelines?
4. What gaps in research or evidence does the paper identify regarding cardiovascular abnormalities and sports participation?
5. How might these recommendations differ for professional athletes versus amateur or youth athletes?

Recorded remotely from Atlanta, 2025.