Regulatory and occupational considerations in cardiology

For any occupation, the level of acceptable medical incapacitation risk needs to be defined (e.g airline pilots ≤1% per annum, HGV drivers <2% per annum). Guidelines from Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and consensus statements for athletes are the most useful reference points when making occupational decisions in patients with cardiological disease particularly those in higher-risk occupations. Common findings on screening ECGs and regulatory decisions in arrhythmias, coronary artery and structural heart disease are discussed.