SportsCardiologyBC

Stay active, stay fit, stay safe.

SportsCardiologyBC

SportsCardiologyBC aims to be the national leader in research and clinical care in the specialized area of sports cardiology. From elite athletes to recreational exercisers, the Centre provides holistic care to highly active individuals. The team comprises experts who have trained at prestigious global institutions and bring a range of research interests and clinical experience to this emerging area. The discipline involves accurate assessment and evaluation of the physiological changes inherent in the athletic heart, and awareness of the contributions of mental health to the overall well-being of athletes. By ensuring optimal and safe participation in athletics and physical activity, the centre strives to make the incredibly beneficial act of exercise even safer.

With the rise in regular participation in athletics and exercise in both the general and aging populations, the Centre’s research leads the way for the identification of risk factors and warning signs for serious cardiovascular events. Additionally, as part of its mandate for education and advocacy, SportsCardiologyBC is committed to providing public education on safe participation in athletics, and actively collaborates with local, national, and international medical, health, and athletic organizations to draw attention to the needs of, and unique risks faced by this population.

SportsCardiologyBC aims to be the national leader in research in this specialized area of medicine.

Exercise and participation in sport is incredibly healthy and ultimately low risk. However, screening tests can be valuable for athletes, as they are pushing their bodies past normal endurance limits. Irrespective of the activity, the heart is under tremendous strain. If this is coupled with some pre-existing factors, the already increased likelihood of damage is further amplified.

Dr. Saul Isserow

Dr. Saul Isserow is the Director of SportsCardiologyBC. He is also Director of the Vancouver General Hospital Centre for Cardiovascular Health, the Director of Cardiology Services at the University of British Columbia Hospital, and the Regional Lead for Cardiac Rehabilitation in the Vancouver Coastal Health region. His research areas include general, preventative, and sports cardiology.

Dr. Isserow completed his medical training at the University of Witwatersrand. He then moved to Canada where he completed his General Practice and Specialty Training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in Saskatchewan and went on to pursue residencies in internal medicine and cardiology at the University of British Columbia. Dr. Isserow is recognized by the VGH-UBC community and beyond for his clinical expertise and contributions to the mentorship of the next generation of physicians. He was the recipient of Master Teacher awards from the Department of Anaesthesia in 2003 and 2013 and the Department of Medicine in 2010 and was awarded the prestigious Killam Teaching Prize in 2019-2020. Dr. Isserow was also the recipient of the People’s Choice Award VGH Medical Staff in 2000 and the Vancouver Coastal Health Annual Award for Clinical Excellence in 2008.

He holds the distinction of being the Cardiology Lead for the Vancouver Olympic Games in 2010.

Dr. Jimmy McKinney

Dr. Jimmy McKinney is the Research Medical Director of SportsCardiologyBC and a clinical assistant professor in the Division of Cardiology at the University of British Columbia. His research areas include pre-participation screening of young and Masters athletes, improving the safety of exercise in individuals with cardiac disease, the long-term effects of different types of exercise and exercise intensities on the heart, and the treatment of active individuals with heart conditions.

Dr. McKinney obtained his undergraduate medical training at the University of Toronto and subsequently pursued fellowships in internal medicine and cardiology at the University of British Columbia. He completed additional subspecialty fellowships in cardiac rehabilitation at the University of Toronto and sports cardiology at the University of British Columbia and abroad in Rome, and London.

Dr. Nate Moulson

Dr. Nate Moulson is the co-Research Director and Associate Medical Director of SportsCardiologyBC and a clinical assistant professor in the Division of Cardiology at the University of British Columbia. His clinical and research interests include the care of athletes and other active individuals with cardiac disease with a unique focus on the care of tactical athletes, first responders and law enforcement. He has also examined applications of cardiopulmonary exercise testing in sports cardiology, as well as the virtual delivery of cardiac rehabilitation to rural and remote communities with the goal of providing more equitable access to exercise therapy.

Dr. Moulson completed his undergraduate medical training at the University of British Columbia. He subsequently pursued a residency in internal medicine at Queen’s University and returned to the University of British Columbia to complete a fellowship in cardiology. He completed additional subspecialty fellowships at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard University (Cardiovascular Performance Program) and the University of British Columbia (Cardiac Rehabilitation and Prevention). In 2021 and 2022, he shared the first-place prize at Clinician-Investigator Program Research Day and in 2023, was one of the recipients of the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI) Investigator Award. He has authored and co-authored over 50 publications.

Currently, Dr. Moulson serves as a member of the Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) Sports Cardiology Committee and is a primary panel member for the CCS/Canadian Heart Rhythm Society (CHRS) Statement on Cardiovascular Screening of Competitive Athletes. Additionally, he is a steering committee member and site lead for the ORCCA Study, a research initiative focused on monitoring athletes at risk for sudden cardiac arrest.

Current Research Studies

Oral Magnesium Supplementation in Athletes with Premature Ventricular Contractions and/or Premature Atrial Contractions

Exercise may increase the amount of premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) and premature atrial contractions (PACs) that individuals experience. A high number of PVCs and PACs may indicate heart disease and a higher risk of sudden cardiac death. Magnesium helps maintain proper heart muscle function. This study aims to determine if magnesium supplementation can reduce the frequency and symptoms of PVCs and PACs.

Research, Education and Detection in the Young (READY)

READY is a program that aims to improve the safety of sport in young athletes participating in sport in British Columbia through pre-participation screening and awareness.

Cardiac Emergency Preparedness in Lower Mainland Health/Fitness and Recreational Centers: The GYM AED Study

The goals of this study are to:
1) Determine the implementation rate of Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) and Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in health and fitness facilities in British Columbia’s Lower Mainland2) Assess the accessibility of AEDs (i.e. location and public access) in health and fitness facilities
3) Determine rates of CPR training among health and fitness facility staff

First Responders Cardiac Research, Education and Early Detection

Sudden Cardiac Death accounts for 45% of on duty deaths in American firefighters. According to the American Heart Association, the average age of a police officer who suffers a heart attack is 49 years old, compared to 67 years old for the general public. The stressful and physically demanding nature of these occupations puts individuals at risk for cardiac events. This project aims to describe the prevalence of cardiac risk factors and disease in first responders and to assess the efficacy of screenings and medical consultations on changing risk factors after 12-24 months.

Hypertensive Response to Exercise and Atrial Arrhythmia Study

High blood pressure at rest has been found to be suggestive of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and atrial enlargement/remodeling, which can cause atrial arrhythmias (most common being atrial fibrillation). It has also been found to worsen outcomes for cardiovascular events and mortality. The purpose of this study is to determine if there is a link between a hypertensive response to exercise (individuals who have normal blood pressure at rest but high blood pressure when exercising) and atrial arrhythmias.

Masters Athlete Screening Study: Follow-up Project

The incidence of cardiovascular events (i.e. nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), nonfatal atherosclerotic stroke, coronary artery bypass surgery, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, or cardiovascular death) in the Masters athlete population is unknown. We will follow the MASS participants for 10 additional years by administering a questionnaire at years 5 and 10 post their final year 5 screening and link their data to PopDataBC, HEARTis, Cardiac Services BC, PharmaNet, and DAD to determine the incidence of cardiovascular events in Masters athletes.