Swimmer Anh Vien chooses FV Hospital for intensive health check-up, detecting early potential risks through a multidisciplinary approach

“I don’t even have a boyfriend yet, but my heart has already skipped a beat!” joked Anh Vien when hearing the cardiologist’s feedback during her health check-up at FV Hospital.

What surprised the female swimmer even more was that despite having a level of physical fitness that ranks among the top in Vietnamese sports, the intensive assessment at FV helped her detect underlying factors that could affect her long-term health and mobility.

Surprised when the heart “skipped a beat”

When people think of Anh Vien, they often picture a resilient, disciplined athlete with remarkable physical fitness. However, after years of professional competition, she understands that being physically fit does not necessarily mean the body is free from underlying health issues, which is why she always prioritises regular health check-ups.

The highlight of Anh Vien’s health check-up programme at FV this time was the multidisciplinary collaboration combined with advanced diagnostic techniques and intensive testing, all conveniently conducted in one place. The female swimmer underwent a comprehensive health assessment, ranging from micronutrients, body composition, vision, liver, kidney, thyroid, and cardiovascular functions, to screening for atherosclerosis risks and certain types of cancer. The programme also included specialist consultations in cardiology and nutrition, helping to build an overall health profile and detect potential risks early. Ms Luong Thi Ngoc Ha, MSc, Dietitian, noted that Anh Vien’s metabolic indicators were all excellent. “Anh Vien has excellent muscle mass, and her blood sugar and lipid profiles are within normal limits. This provides a great foundation for maintaining physical fitness and post-exercise recovery,” said the expert.

The first surprise came during the cardiovascular examination. Following a transthoracic echocardiogram and an electrocardiogram (ECG), the results revealed that the “little mermaid” had an irregular heartbeat. She received an intensive consultation with Dr Tran Dai Quynh Van, MSc, Cardiology & Interventional Cardiology Department. Although it is not yet a serious issue, the doctor noted that individuals who regularly engage in high-intensity exercise still need closer monitoring to avoid risks during training.

Anh Vien was recommended to undergo a 24-hour Holter ECG monitor to assess the frequency of the arrhythmia and further track it during her daily activities.

Hearing the results, the female swimmer maintained her optimistic and humorous spirit: “I don’t even have a boyfriend yet, but my heart has already skipped a beat!”

Anh Vien undergoes a comprehensive health screening at FV Hospital.

Intensive musculoskeletal assessment with a sports medicine expert

In addition to the health check-up programme, Anh Vien chose to undergo an intensive musculoskeletal assessment with Dr Le Trong Phat, PhD, Head of the Orthopaedics & Hand Surgery Department and sports medicine expert at FV.

Through this consultation, Dr Le Trong Phat, PhD, discovered that Anh Vien has flat feet accompanied by an ankle ligament imbalance, which may increase her risk of injury during high-intensity exercise. To improve this condition, the doctor advised her to use orthotic insoles (foot support insoles) to optimise her landing posture and reduce pressure on the knee joints. Dr Le Trong Phat, PhD, shared: “Many people who play sports think that a problem only exists when there is pain. In reality, some musculoskeletal structural abnormalities can exist for years without clear symptoms, until training intensity increases and injuries begin to surface.”

In a relaxed atmosphere, the female swimmer discussed her concerns regarding injury prevention during training and competition from a medical perspective. Sharing her thoughts after the consultation, Anh Vien said: “Sometimes we assume we are healthy and don’t pay close attention. But only through a thorough, multidisciplinary check-up like this do we realise that the body still has areas that need adjustment.”

Dr Le Trong Phat, PhD, examines and assesses Anh Vien’s spinal function.

FV Sports Medicine Unit: Actively protecting and optimising training performance with the PPE programme

Anh Vien’s case demonstrates that even individuals with an excellent physical foundation can have hidden risks that the body has not yet clearly signalled.

Experts at FV recommend that alongside regular health check-up programmes, those who train or compete at a high intensity should undergo a more specialised solution: Pre-Participation Evaluation (PPE) programme.

An athlete undergoes a cardiopulmonary exercise test.

PPE is a modern medical solution that helps design a personalised roadmap tailored to the specific physical condition and goals of each individual, focusing on three major objectives:

• Optimising and enhancing training and competition performance: Through specialised tests such as cardiopulmonary exercise testing and body composition analysis, the exact load capacity of the heart, blood vessels, and muscles can be determined. From there, experts provide tailored advice on training and intensive recovery nutrition suitable for athletes, gym-goers, or amateur runners.
• Proactive injury prevention: Providing a detailed assessment of the musculoskeletal system to early detect mechanical errors in movement posture and structural abnormalities, similar to Anh Vien’s flat feet case, for timely adjustment using rehabilitation exercises or assistive devices.
• Screening for potentially serious conditions: Comprehensively screening for potential risks in the cardiovascular system or metabolic disorders that can easily manifest unexpectedly when the body is subjected to high-intensity physical stress.

Experts recommend undergoing a PPE assessment approximately 4 to 6 weeks before high-intensity training programmes or tournaments. With close coordination among a team of multidisciplinary experts, FV delivers a comprehensive sports healthcare process that is personalised to each individual’s physical condition, helping you confidently push past your limits in the safest and most sustainable way.

For more information about Health Check-up packages and the Pre-Participation Evaluation (PPE) programme at FV Hospital, please contact 6 Nguyen Luong Bang, Tan My Ward (former District 7), Ho Chi Minh City, Tel: (028) 35 11 3333. 24/7 Emergency Hotline: (028) 3511 3500.