Alan C. Braverman, MD, FACC, Alumni Endowed Professor of Cardiovascular Diseases, section head of General Cardiology, and director of the WashU Medicine Marfan Syndrome and Aortopathy Center, served on the writing committee for a new scientific statement from the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association addressing cardiovascular care for tactical athletes. The statement, Clinical Considerations for the Care of the Tactical Athlete With Cardiovascular Abnormalities, was published in Circulation.
Tactical athletes include firefighters, law enforcement officers, military personnel and others whose occupations require high levels of physical performance under demanding conditions. The scientific statement provides guidance for clinicians caring for those tactical athletes who have cardiovascular disease or cardiovascular risk factors, while also considering the unique public safety and occupational demands of their professions.
The document was developed by a multidisciplinary panel of experts in sports cardiology, cardiovascular medicine and tactical athlete health. According to the statement, cardiovascular evaluations for tactical athletes require considerations beyond traditional clinical care because a cardiovascular event can affect not only the individual but also teammates, mission success and community safety. The publication includes evidence-based recommendations and clinical considerations covering a wide range of cardiovascular conditions and return-to-duty assessments.
An internationally recognized expert in heritable thoracic aortic disease, Marfan syndrome and aortopathies, Braverman has played a leading role in advancing clinical care and research for patients with genetic cardiovascular disorders. His participation on the writing committee reflects WashU Medicine Cardiology’s continued leadership in developing national cardiovascular guidelines and scientific statements that inform patient care across diverse populations.