A retired Athlete man is being evaluated for annual medical evaluation. He had played soccer for 10 years. He has no prior medical diseases and takes no medications. He still continues to practice aerobic exercise regularly. The patient does not use tobacco, alcohol, or illicit drugs. Blood pressure is 110/60 mm Hg and pulse is 63/min. Physical examination shows no abnormalities. Compared to a person of similar age and sex with sedentary lifestyle, which of the following cardiac changes are most likely present in this patient?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: The heart is physiologically capable to adapt in athletes with endurance training. This will help heart to increase cardiac output via increase stroke volume. The left ventricle undergoes eccentric hypertrophy to increase left ventricular cavity size and improve diastolic filling capacity.  The resulting increase in end-diastolic volume capacity allows for increased stroke volume and cardiac output.  Because end-diastolic volume and stroke volume are both proportionally increased, left ventricular ejection fraction is mostly unchanged.

A Retired Athlete Man Is Being Evaluated for Annual Medical