Athlete safety is again under scrutiny after the Philippine HEART Association warned that the Philippines still lacks unified cardiovascular screening standards for sports participants, increasing the risk of undetected heart conditions that can lead to sudden cardiac emergencies.
The association said screening practices differ widely across sports programs, leaving gaps in athlete protection. It called for a nationwide, evidence-based screening framework to standardize how cardiovascular risks are assessed before athletes are cleared to compete.
The appeal was made in a joint position statement from PHA councils on sports cardiology, preventive cardiology, cardiac rehabilitation, and congenital heart disease. The group stressed that any national system should align with global medical standards while remaining practical for local healthcare capacity and sports structures.
The PHA recommended that screening apply to both youth and adult athletes, not only professionals. It also cited the need to improve access to diagnostic equipment, establish clear referral pathways for high-risk athletes, and strengthen awareness among coaches, doctors, sports officials, and policymakers.
Health experts noted that sudden cardiac arrest in athletes is usually linked to underlying heart disorders that may go unnoticed without proper screening. While rare, these events carry serious consequences. Preparticipation evaluations typically include medical history reviews, physical exams, and, when possible, a resting 12-lead ECG to identify those needing further testing.
Despite global support for athlete screening, the PHA warned that the absence of national guidelines may result in uneven safety standards across organized and grassroots sports, and urged stronger collaboration to create a unified system nationwide.
