Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p>Background Cardiac screening is recommended for athletes aged ≥ 16 to prevent sport-related sudden cardiac death (SCD), but overall adherence to these recommendations among many team sport associations in Sweden remains low. Aims This study aims to investigate cardiovascular risk factors and symptoms in elite hockey players in the Swedish Women’s Hockey League (SDHL). Methods All 225 registered SDHL players were invited to participate; 159 (71%) accepted to participate and were included in the study. During the season 2023–2024, the included players answered a questionnaire regarding cardiac symptoms and family history of cardiac diseases. Results The mean age was 24 ± 5 years. Cardiac symptoms were reported by 11% (n = 18) of the study participants and 36% (n = 57) reported a family history of cardiovascular disease. Among the players, 7% (n = 11) had a parent or sibling with diabetes, 26% (n = 42) with hypertension and 11% (n = 17) with cardiac disease. Four players (3%) had a first-degree relative with sudden cardiac death. Previous cardiac arrhythmia was reported in 4% (n = 7) by the players, 5% (n = 8) had experienced chest pain, and 11% (n = 16) had experienced an episode of syncope. In addition, 1% (n = 1) of the players had coronary artery disease, 1% (n = 1) hypertension and 3% (n = 4) diabetes. Conclusions A significant number of female elite hockey players presented with symptoms and/or a family history of cardiovascular disease. Our findings support the use of pre-participation screening in female elite hockey players to identify athletes at risk of adverse cardiac events. Trial registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06351618?cond=ice%20hockey%20female&viewType=Card&rank=4 (ID: NCT06351618) Registered on: 2023-12-01</p>