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Sudden cardiac death in athletes
1Division of Cardiology, Cardiac Arrhythmia Service, Tufts-New England Medical Center, Boston, MA 02111, USA. mlink@tufts-nemc.org
Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases
|July 19, 2008
Summary
Sudden cardiac death in athletes is rare but visible. While exercise can improve heart health, it may acutely raise arrhythmia risk, necessitating careful screening and management strategies for athletes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Sports Medicine
- Preventive Cardiology
Background:
- Sudden cardiac death (SCD) in athletes is a high-profile event, despite athletes' expected good health.
- Athletic performance can paradoxically increase acute risks of ventricular arrhythmias and SCD, while offering long-term cardiovascular benefits like reduced atherosclerosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the causes and management of sudden cardiac death in athletes.
- To discuss the role of implanted cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) and screening strategies.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on SCD in athletes.
- Analysis of causes based on age groups (younger vs. older athletes).
- Discussion of current screening inadequacies and management guidelines.
Main Results:
- In athletes under 30, inherited heart disease is the most common cause of SCD.
- In older athletes, coronary artery disease is the primary cause of SCD.
- Implanted cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) can prevent SCD but often preclude competitive athletics.
Conclusions:
- Optimal screening strategies for athletes remain undetermined.
- Recommendations for athletic participation often follow established guidelines like the 36th Bethesda Conference.
- Balancing the benefits and risks of athletic participation requires ongoing research and improved screening.
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