From first heartbeat to peak performance

Yes. Congenital heart disease requires lifelong management. Adults with previously repaired or undiagnosed defects benefit from continuity of specialist care.

A detailed history and physical examination, ECG, echocardiography and exercise testing, designed to identify risk while keeping athletes active and safe.

For many conditions - including ASD, VSD, PDA closures, and select valve interventions - catheter procedures offer faster recovery, less discomfort and shorter hospital stays, with excellent outcomes.

Yes. Families and referring clinicians can email images, catheter reports and clinical summaries so the consultation can happen with the right context.

A sports cardiology assessment can identify red flags, review ECG and echocardiography findings, and provide clear advice on safe participation.

Many can. Advice is personalised according to diagnosis, repair status, rhythm, ventricular function, pressures, exercise response and risk profile.

Sudden cardiac death during exercise is rare, but it can occur in individuals with an underlying heart condition that has not yet been diagnosed. Conditions such as inherited heart muscle disorders, electrical abnormalities, or congenital coronary artery abnormalities may increase risk during intense physical activity. Regular exercise remains one of the best ways to protect long-term heart health. The goal of sports cardiology screening is to identify those few individuals who may be at increased risk and ensure they can participate safely.

For competitive athletes, a pre-participation cardiac assessment including an ECG can help identify heart conditions that may not cause symptoms but could increase risk during sport. An ECG is a simple, non-invasive test that records the heart's electrical activity. When interpreted by a physician experienced in sports cardiology, it can be a valuable tool in assessing an athlete's heart health and suitability for competition.

Regular training can lead to normal adaptations known as "athlete's heart," including a lower resting heart rate and mild enlargement of the heart chambers. Occasionally, these changes can resemble heart disease. Specialist assessment using ECG, echocardiography, exercise testing, and sometimes cardiac MRI can help distinguish healthy athletic adaptation from conditions that require further management.

Most chest pain in children is not caused by heart disease and many children can continue normal activities. However, chest pain that occurs during exercise, associated with dizziness, fainting, palpitations, unusual breathlessness, or a family history of sudden cardiac death should be assessed by a paediatric cardiologist. A specialist evaluation can usually provide reassurance and help determine whether any restrictions are necessary.

A faster heartbeat during exercise is normal. However, palpitations that are sudden, irregular, recurrent, or associated with dizziness, chest pain, fainting or reduced exercise performance should not be ignored. A sports cardiology assessment can help determine whether symptoms are benign or require further investigation, allowing athletes to exercise with confidence and peace of mind.