The full cardiac workup will include:
Medical History
Physical Examination
Chest X-Ray
Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG)
Resting Echo
Stress Echo (Echocardiogram and treadmill stress test, combined)
Background
The introduction of a mandatory preparticipation screening program for young athletes (age range, 12–35) in Italy resulted in a substantial decline (almost 90%) in the annual incidence of sudden cardiovascular death in competitive athletes (largely attributable to reduced deaths from cardiomyopathies).
Athletes were required to undergo a brief cardiac screening consisting of EKG, physical exam and medical history. Over 40,000 of these screenings were performed from 1979 to 2004. Approximately 9% of these athletes were referred for further evaluation.
Note that La Grange members receive all tests that would be done under the Italian program including those performed when further evaluation is indicated. By anyone's standard, La Grange members are getting the 'Rolls Royce' of evaluations.
Recommendations and Considerations Related to Preparticipation Screening for Cardiovascular Abnormalities in Competitive Athletes: 2007 Update.
Recommendations for Preparticipation Screening and the Assessment of Cardiovascular Disease in Masters Athletes. 2001.
What can be detected?
Structural abnormalities like:
cardiomyopathy
hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
congenital heart disease
congenital heart defects
Exercise induced arrhythmias
Coronary artery disease, both congenital and ordinary atherosclerosis
Who from La Grange should go for screening?
This screening is available to any Club member, but is especially useful for anyone who has not recently been doing strenuous activity or is new to competitive cycling.
It is strongly suggested for younger elite level racers to screen for Cardiomyopathy, Congenital Heart Disease and Arrythmias.
It is strongly suggested for anyone racing in a Masters category to screen for Coronary Artery Disease as well as Cardiomyopathy, Congenital Heart Disease and Arrythmias.
What happens after the screening?
Dr. Hyman will discuss the results of the tests with you, but he will not make suggestions as to your health care. You can receive a copy of all of your test results and records of the evaluation, which you can review with your regular doctor or cardiologist. If abnormalities are noted, the decision to exercise or race is up to you and your doctor?
How do I sign up for the screening, and when is it?
All you have to do is call Dr. Hyman’s office and let them know that you are a club member and that you would like to have the cardiac screening done. You schedule the appointment with his office whenever it is convenient for both of you. The evaluation takes one to two hours.
Who else is doing it?
Professional cycling teams including Team Slipstream, Team Discovery. All Italian athletes have benefited from cardiac screening. It is now mandatory in Italy for all athletes from youth to seniors, amateur, club and professional, to have cardiac screening and the testing has successfully helped to identify and prevent potential problems including sudden death.
The National Basketball Association is now requiring standardized cardiac screening for every player.
Many college basketball players participate in a voluntary screening program of echocardiograms that is provided at no charge. You see lots of games now where someone is on the bench in street clothes because of an abnormal echo awaiting Cardiac Evaluation.
How do I contact Dr. Hyman’s office?
Los Angeles Cardiovascular Consultants Medical Group, Inc.
11645 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 825
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Phone: 310-207-3320
To make it even easier Dr. Hyman has offered to validate parking for La Grange members coming for a screening. Bicycles are welcome in the office
If you cannot make your appointment, please call and let the office know,
as technicians are scheduled for each screening session.
West L.A. Industrial & Urgent Care provides treatment of minor cuts, bruises, laceration and orthopedic injuries. Flu shots and other general medical services. If you have a crash locally or burn, cut or injure yourself in any way, they are a much better option than going to the emergency room if your own physician cannot see you in a timely fashion.
Los Angeles Cardiovascular Consultants is Dr. Hyman’s private Cardiology practice. It provides our members with the no out-of-pocket cost Cardiac Screening Program, while several Club members have seen the doctor as regular patients.
He also is the Medical Director of Medical Industrial Evaluators, a multispecialty group that performs medical legal evaluations. This includes Workers Compensation, L&H, civil, malpractice and liability. His doctors are available for record review, examinations and expert testimony.
Specialties included are: Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology, Hematology, Oncology, Allergy, Neurology, Psychiatry, Dermatology, Ophthalmology, Toxicology, Orthopedics, General and Vascular Surgery. The doctors also participate and are often on site to see patients immediately for The Urgent Care Facility.
MedX Drug and Alcohol Testing provides services to employers and individuals. It is a collection site for pre-employment physicals and Department of Transportation examinations. They also sell tests that can be used as a dip stick to screen urine for substances of abuse. Some parents need to use these to help their children remain drug-free. They also can be used on an industrial basis by HR as part of pre-employment physicals and after on the job injuries. DNA testing is also performed for paternity and immigration issues.
MD Clinical Trials does Drug Company sponsored research. It may make a drug not yet released available to you. Sometimes existing drugs are compared. Participation in a study is usually very well reimbursed as well as getting the medication for free. A current study relates to the psychological effects of medications given for Hepatitis C. If this applies to anyone in the club, please contact the office.
