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Asthma deaths and the athlete
1Allergy and Immunology Section, Department of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA. langd@ccf.org
Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology
|October 28, 2005
Summary
Asthma is increasingly common and severe, causing thousands of deaths yearly. While sports participation poses a small risk, proper asthma management allows safe physical activity.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Sports Medicine
Background:
- Asthma prevalence, severity, and mortality are increasing.
- Annual asthma deaths in the US approach 4500.
- Sudden death during exercise can stem from cardiac issues or asthma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the risks of asthma, particularly during sports.
- To emphasize the importance of asthma management for athletes.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent data on asthma-related fatalities.
- Analysis of asthma fatality risk during sports participation.
Main Results:
- Asthma is a recognized cause of death associated with sports.
- Individuals with mild to moderate asthma face fatality risks.
- The increased risk of asthma death during sports is statistically small.
Conclusions:
- Asthma is a serious but manageable condition.
- Individuals with asthma should not be discouraged from sports.
- Effective asthma management is crucial for safe participation in physical activities.