Masters Athletes Present Unique CV Findings
Joint clinical consensus outlines evaluation and management considerations for arrhythmias, coronary atherosclerosis, aortic dilatation, myocardial fibrosis, and related findings in older competitive athletes.
By
Kathryn Wighton
April 6, 2026
Clinical Scorecard: Masters Athletes Present Unique CV Findings
At a Glance
Category Detail
Condition Cardiovascular abnormalities in Masters athletes Key Mechanisms Atrial enlargement, autonomic changes, electrical remodeling, atrial fibrosis, coronary calcification Target Population Masters athletes aged 35 years or older Care Setting Cardiology and sports medicine
Key Highlights
Higher prevalence of atrial fibrillation in Masters athletes compared to general population Coronary calcification more common in male Masters athletes Aortic dilatation varies by sport history Myocardial fibrosis prevalence ranges from 3% to 50% Shared decision-making is crucial in management Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Routine cardiovascular assessment with consideration of athlete-specific factors Use of coronary artery calcium scoring in asymptomatic athletes not recommended Management
Rhythm control preferred over rate control for symptomatic athletes Lifestyle counseling and pharmacologic treatment as per general population guidelines Monitoring & Follow-up
Surveillance imaging for aortic dilatation Regular follow-up for athletes with cardiovascular risk factors Risks
Higher risk of atrial fibrillation with increased exercise intensity Potential for myocardial fibrosis to lead to ventricular arrhythmias Patient & Prescribing Data
Masters athletes with cardiovascular abnormalities
Beta-blockers and digoxin may be poorly tolerated during exercise
Clinical Best Practices
Emphasize shared decision-making in treatment planning Consider sport-specific training history in cardiovascular evaluations Monitor for complications that may affect sports performance References
