#43 | GMJ Podcast | Cardiovascular Screening in Pediatric Athletes — Risk Stratification and Public Health Implications

In this episode of the ⁠GMJ Podcast — the official podcast of the Georgian Medical Journal⁠ — we present an evidence-based analysis of cardiovascular screening in pediatric athletes, focusing on prevalence, risk stratification, and implications for public health based on data from a Georgian population cohort.Sudden cardiac events in young athletes, although rare, represent a critical concern for clinicians, families, and sports organizations. This episode explores the role of systematic cardiovascular screening in early identification of underlying cardiac conditions that may predispose young individuals to adverse events during physical activity.The discussion highlights the importance of structured screening protocols, including clinical evaluation, electrocardiography, and risk-based stratification approaches tailored to pediatric populations.The episode examines key clinical and public health considerations, including:• Prevalence of cardiovascular abnormalities in pediatric athletes• Risk stratification strategies for early detection of high-risk individuals• The role of screening tools, including ECG and clinical assessment• Balancing sensitivity, specificity, and cost-effectiveness in screening programs• Ethical and policy considerations in mandatory vs. targeted screening• Implications for national sports medicine and public health policiesThe findings emphasize that well-designed screening programs can play a crucial role in preventing adverse cardiac events, while also raising important questions regarding implementation, resource allocation, and potential overdiagnosis.From a public health perspective, this episode highlights the need for evidence-based, context-specific screening strategies that ensure both safety and feasibility within national healthcare systems.This episode underscores the importance of integrating clinical cardiology, sports medicine, and public health policy to protect young athletes and promote safe participation in physical activity.https://gmj.ge/index.php/pub/article/view/31https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19091480Citation:Shervashidze, M. (2026). Cardiovascular Screening in Pediatric Athletes: Prevalence, Risk Stratification, and Public Health Implications from a Georgian Population Cohort. The Georgian Medical Journal, 1(1), 115–135.https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19091480