Understanding the causes of sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes
Health Corner, IndoUS Tribune
It’s a heartbreaking scene: a seemingly healthy young athlete collapsing on the field due to sudden cardiac arrest. Surprisingly, this tragic event happens more frequently than many might realize.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, approximately 2,000 individuals under the age of 25 die from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) each year in the United States. SCA is the leading cause of death in young athletes, occurring when the heart stops beating due to an irregular heartbeat, known as an arrhythmia. Young athletes often appear healthy and show no symptoms. However, if symptoms do arise, they may include shortness of breath, a racing heartbeat, chest pain, or dizziness. These signs are sometimes mistakenly attributed to intense physical activity and are not recognized as potentially life-threatening. Many young athletes are unaware of their risk for SCA, but it’s crucial to understand that screenings for underlying risks are available in most communities. While sudden cardiac death in young people is rare, understanding the causes and available screenings is vital.
Several conditions can lead to SCA, including:
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: This condition involves the thickening of the heart’s lower chamber muscles, leading to an abnormal heart rhythm. It is often inherited and frequently undiagnosed, making it the most common cause of SCA in young people.
Long QT syndrome: This arrhythmia causes a rapid and chaotic heartbeat.
Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome: This condition involves an extra electrical pathway in the heart, leading to a potentially life-threatening arrhythmia that stops the heart from pumping blood.
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD): An inherited disorder where scar tissue replaces part of the heart muscle.
Depending on an individual’s family history and other risk factors, a physician might recommend screenings such as an electrocardiogram (EKG) or an echocardiogram.
While most screenings do not reveal any issues, they can identify heart conditions that may lead to sudden cardiac arrest in some cases. If a screening test indicates potential problems, doctors may suggest further tests, recommend avoiding competitive sports, or propose treatments to address the underlying condition.