Diving, Running or Padel: When Is It Advisable to Have a Cardiovascular Check-Up Before Starting?

With the arrival of summer, thousands of people take advantage of the good weather and holidays to resume physical activity or try sports they do not usually practice during the rest of the year. Running, cycling, padel, hiking and water sports become popular choices during this season, often without prior medical evaluation.

Cardiology specialists remind us that undergoing a cardiovascular check-up before starting intense physical activity can be crucial for the early detection of heart abnormalities in apparently healthy individuals and for reducing the risk of complications.

"Summer often coincides with a sudden change in the level of physical activity for many people. Going from a relatively sedentary lifestyle to moderate or intense exercise in a short period places a significant increase in cardiovascular demand," explains Dr. Guillermo Isasti, clinical cardiologist and specialist in advanced cardiac imaging at Ruber Internacional Centro Médico Habana and Hospital Ruber Internacional, both part of the Quirónsalud Group. "In some cases, that effort can reveal heart diseases that had remained silent until then."

According to the specialist, certain groups should pay particular attention to cardiovascular prevention before summer. These include people with a history of heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, or a family history of early heart disease or sudden cardiac death. "It is also especially advisable for people over 40 who are about to begin exercising," he adds.

One of the main concerns among experts is that many heart conditions can progress without symptoms for years. "Many people consider themselves healthy because they do not feel anything, but the very purpose of preventive cardiology is to anticipate symptoms and identify structural or electrical abnormalities before they cause clinical problems," says Dr. Isasti.

Preventive cardiovascular assessment is tailored to each patient, although it usually includes a detailed medical history, an electrocardiogram (ECG), and an echocardiogram. In some cases, additional tests such as a stress test, Holter monitoring, cardiac MRI, or coronary CT scan may be recommended.

"The key is to individualize the assessment according to each person’s profile and risk factors," explains the specialist. "At Ruber Internacional Centro Médico Habana, we also have the advantage of providing a comprehensive diagnosis in a single medical visit, combining clinical consultation and complementary tests at the same appointment. This reduces uncertainty, avoids multiple trips, and allows us to offer fast and personalized recommendations."

Interest in water sports, especially recreational diving, also increases during summer. In this context, an echocardiogram with a bubble test becomes particularly relevant. This examination detects the presence of a patent foramen ovale (PFO), a small opening between the atria that is present in approximately 25% of the population.

"In most cases it has no consequences, but during diving it may facilitate the passage of microbubbles into the arterial system and increase the risk of neurological decompression accidents," explains Dr. Guillermo Isasti. "That is why we recommend this test for recreational divers performing deeper dives or repetitive dive profiles."

The specialist also stresses the importance of not ignoring certain symptoms during physical activity. Chest pain, disproportionate shortness of breath, dizziness, intense palpitations, or loss of consciousness are warning signs that require stopping the activity and seeking cardiological evaluation.

"Prevention and early diagnosis have a tremendous impact on reducing long-term cardiovascular risk," concludes Dr. Isasti. "Summer is an excellent opportunity to start taking care of yourself, but doing it properly means beginning gradually and, for certain individuals, undergoing a prior cardiovascular check-up to practice sports safely."