[Points of departure in sports counseling of children with congenital heart defects].

When counseling children with congenital heart disease who want to participate in sports, it is, generally speaking, preferable to choose a dynamic sport rather than a static one. Also, the degree of intensity is of major importance. In this connection it is useful to differentiate between recreation-oriented and achievement-oriented participation in sports. The extra risks for a child with congenital heart disease are progression of the severely of the anomaly, rhythm-disturbances, sudden death, and complications due to medication. For the majority of these children the recommendation will be a strictly individual one, based on the (exercise)electrocardiogram, the 24-hours-ECG monitoring, and the echo-Doppler-cardiogram. Invasive techniques are usually unnecessary.