Arrhythmogenic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy right ventricular of the heart – strategy of proceedings, diagnostic problems of the doctor of the basic medical care and probability of death

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a genetically determined illness, in which cardiomyocytes are gradually replaced by adipose and fibrous tissue. The above changes occurring in the structure of cardiac muscle become the basis for life threatening cardiac rhythm disturbances. This disease is one of the most frequent causes of sudden cardiac death in athletes (20-30% of cases). The frequency in general population is between 1 : 1000 and 1 : 5000, concerning mostly men (it is three times higher for men than for women). Diagnosing ARVC is difficult, which poses a significant challenge to general practitioners. For patients with diagnosed ARVC it is strictly forbidden to take part in competitive sport(s). Treatment should always depend on the progression of ARVC. During active campaign promoting physical activity on a mass scale (cross-country running, marathons) the problem returned with redoubled strength. Cases, when young individuals considered to be model sportspeople, not undergoing cardiologic treatment to date, suffered sudden cardiac death, demand undertaking appropriate measures which will allow to avoid such situations in the future. At the work were directed the POZ doctor’s attention to the role as a first control point and their options for stratification of the risk of sudden cardiac death and the need to introduce the algorithm of proceeding in people who do amateur sports.