Before playing sports, at any level, it is good to do a check up. Mauro Borchini, head of the sport cardiology service and ultrasound scan of the Mapei Sport Research Center in Olgiate Olona (Va), explains us the recommended medical checks for a sportsman concerning the heart: «The basic exam is the electrocardiogram together with the echocardiography. A competitive medical examination includes an ECG pre and post exercise. Electrocardiogram under stress allows us to understand how our main “machine” behaves when we practice sports. In the case of anomalies it is possible to investigate the situation with more specific examinations such as coronary CT, cardiac MRI or ecostress».