Task Force 8: Care of Competitive Athletes with Arrhythmias and Sudden Cardiac Arrest: Clinical Considerations and Electrocardiogram Interpretations

This document outlines recommendations for managing competitive athletes with arrhythmias and risks of sudden cardiac arrest, emphasizing individualized risk assessment, shared decision-making, and return-to-play protocols tailored to each athlete’s cardiac profile and sport demands. It provides evaluation strategies for ventricular arrhythmias, implantable cardiac defibrillators, atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia, Wolff–Parkinson–White pattern/syndrome, and syncope, alongside guidance for electrocardiogram interpretation in athletes. A key focus is placed on differentiating between low-risk and high-risk conditions, with recommendations for treatment strategies and ongoing monitoring to ensure athletes’ safety.