Several return-to-play guidelines exist for athletes who contracted COVID-19, according to a study published in JAMA Cardiology.
COVID-19 has been associated with permanent heart damage, especially in patients who have been hospitalized with a severe infection. More research is needed to determine if patients with mild symptoms or no symptoms suffered cardiac injury.
The study contains several flow charts with recommendations for athletes of various ages and competitive status to follow to return to play.
Despite needing more research on the topic, researchers do not believe patients with minimal or no symptoms need to undergo detailed cardiac screening. They do recommend patients with moderate to severe symptoms undergo screening beginning with electrocardiogram, cardiac ultrasound or high-sensitivity cardiac troponin.
Read the entire report here.