A recent UK study shows that the leading cause of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in athletes is still unknown. It may be due to hidden heart problems at a molecular level that can cause arrhythmias. Even though SCA during sports is rare, it can have serious consequences. This highlights the need for pre-participation health screenings, especially for young athletes. Major events like the Olympics enforce these screenings, but smaller competitions often do not. Public endurance events, like marathons, require only a waiver from participants. This leaves the responsibility for screening to athletes and their guardians.
Importance of Screening
The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends a medical history and a focused heart exam for high-risk individuals. They look for symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, or fainting. It’s also important to check family history for heart problems. For those at risk, further tests like ECGs and echocardiograms should be done, and doctors should be consulted.
