It’s September and at high schools nationwide fall sports are in full swing, from soccer and football to cross country. Not to mention the start of basketball and other winter sports seasons is just around the corner.
While most young athletes never experience a life-threatening event on the field or court, there are certain conditions that can put young people at risk for sudden cardiac death. Did you know that more than 100 young athletes under the age of 18 die suddenly from sudden cardiac arrest during practice or competition every single year in the United States? While this number is very small compared to the total number of kids participating in sports, it is a profound tragedy when a young person dies — and it’s often avoidable.
[See: 7 Signs You Should Stop Exercising Immediately.]
What Exactly Is Sudden Cardiac Death?
Sudden cardiac death occurs when the heart rhythm becomes dangerously erratic; this rhythm change is called ventricular fibrillation. When VF occurs, the heart is no longer able to pump blood effectively to the brain and other organs. Unless blood flow is restored quickly, the brain and other organs start to fail. The only treatment for sudden cardiac arrest is an electrical shock from a defibrillator to effectively reset the heart rhythm back to normal and save the patient’s life. Without immediate treatment during a cardiac arrest, more than 90 percent of victims will die. If CPR and quick defibrillation occurs on the field of play, however, the survival rate can approach 70 percent.
What Are the Causes of Sudden Death in Young Athletes?
The most common cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes is a condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. With this condition, the pumping chamber of the heart is abnormally thick. This abnormally thick heart muscle can be the source of abnormal electrical rhythms like ventricular fibrillation. Several types of congenital heart abnormalities and genetic disorders can also cause sudden cardiac death; that includes Long QT syndrome, in which the electrical system in the heart does not function normally and can predispose kids to dangerous heart rhythms. Rarely, a blow to the chest — called commotio cordis — can precipitate sudden cardiac death.
What Can Parents Do to Keep Kids Safe?
Currently in the U.S., most school systems require only a so-called pre-participation physical exam by a licensed health care provider before a student-athlete begins a sports activity. In many cases, a good history and physical exam can detect potential issues that warrant further testing and investigation and may, in fact, identify those at risk. In Europe, all athletes must have a history and physical exam as well as an electrocardiogram, or EKG, a test that measures the electrical activity of the heartbeat, to assess for potential problems.
In the U.S., EKGs are not recommended, as some experts argue that they are not cost-effective and often produce false positive results — identifying athletes who are at potential risk but ultimately have nothing wrong with them. However, there are others experts who argue for the use of routine EKG screening in the U.S. as well. A group of researchers in Seattle have identified certain EKG criteria that they contend will identify those at risk for sudden cardiac death without unnecessarily removing athletes who aren’t at risk from competition. Currently, the American College of Cardiology only recommends a pre-participation history and physical exam, however, and is not yet ready make changes to include routine EKGs.
[See: 10 of the Biggest Health Threats Facing Your Kids This School Year.]
What Are the Warning Signs?
When it comes to cardiac death prevention, athletes and their families still bear much of the responsibility. Do you have a family history of unexplained premature deaths or have a history of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or Long QT syndrome or other heart abnormalities in your family? If so, make sure your child’s pediatrician knows this before your son or daughter begins a sport, so that further screening can be considered. If your child experiences dizzy spells or has ever passed out with exertion, this can be a serious warning sign of underlying heart abnormalities. If your athlete complains of chest pain or shortness of breath during play, further evaluation is necessary. These children should generally have an EKG and an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart), and should be evaluated by a pediatric cardiologist to determine if other more invasive testing is necessary.
For children with a family history of unexplained early death, a complete evaluation is also indicated. This evaluation should include an EKG and possibly an echocardiogram. Your pediatrician or family physician may also consult with a pediatric cardiologist.
How Can I Help in an Emergency?
Most importantly, all of us must learn CPR, which saves lives. When a bystander witnesses a cardiac arrest and initiates CPR and early defibrillation, outcomes improve significantly. Most local communities and hospitals provide CPR training for nonmedical personnel. During CPR training you will learn how to perform chest compressions, rescue breathing and call for help. Moreover, you will be trained to use an automated external defibrillator, or AED, which can quickly reset the heart rhythm of a cardiac arrest victim.
[See: 10 Concerns Parents Have About Their Kids’ Health.]
All schools should have an AED in place at all sporting events, including practices. Make sure that you and your family are CPR-trained. One day, you could save a life.
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Sudden Cardiac Death in Young Athletes: What Every Parent Needs to Know originally appeared on usnews.com
