Sudden cardiac death during sport and recreational activities in Israel

Sudden unexpected death of healthy individuals during strenuous physical activity is rarely encountered. In the present study, 36 cases of death during physical exercise over the past 19 years were examined at the Israel National Center of Forensic Medicine. The victims' ages ranged from 13-62 years; none of them had a pre-existing history of a cardio-vascular condition. Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) was the cause of death in most of the older participants in sport activities (35 years of age and over), while younger individuals died mainly as a result of diseases of the myocardium. More than half of the deceased had been found fit to participate in active sports following basic medical examination. We conclude that more detailed medical screening tests should be utilized to detect potentially hazardous cardiovascular diseases in all those engaged in strenuous physical activity.