Cardiac hypertrophy and how it may break an athlete's heart--the Cypriot case

This is a case report of an athlete whose professional football career was transiently terminated because of the presumed diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The diagnosis was based on electrocardiographic repolarisation changes. The ECGs, treadmill exercise tests (Bruce protocol) and echo examinations at the time of his active training and several years after termination of his professional career are discussed. No hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was documented by ultrasound examination. The distinction between physiological athlete's heart and pathological conditions has critical implications for professional athletes. Criteria and guidelines for screening of athletes in competitive sports are recommended.