Sudden Athlete Deaths

Why Does This Happen?

The sudden death of an athlete is sad and confusing. How could an individual in top physical shape just die? Isn't exercise the way to health, the path to avoiding disease and an untimely death? And most importantly, is there any way to prevent this from ever happening again?

Thanks to athlete studies, we now know that the most common athlete death is from Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), a genetic disease that kills more than 6,000 people each year. The irony of the disease is that exercise, especially the extreme exertion of a competing athlete, is dangerous for the victim instead of healthy. An athlete with HCM dies approximately every two weeks, during or immediately after exertion. (link: http://heartdisease.about.com/cs/cardiomyopathy/a/HCM.htm )

Italy has mandated preventative medical evaluations for all competing athletes between the ages of 1 - 40 since 1971. One study showed an 89% drop in sudden cardiovascular deaths in the prescreened athletes vs. the non-screened athletes. (http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/545464)

Heat-Related Deaths Are Preventable

Proper precautions and common sense go a long way in preventing heat-related deaths. Athletes need adequate hydration before, during, and after exertion, and practices should be scheduled during the cooler parts of the day instead of the hottest. Artificial turfs also factor in, as they heat up faster than grass and concrete, even after hosing down with water. Over 100 football players died from heart stroke between 1960 and 2001. All coaches and trainers should know the steps to preventing heat-related illnesses.

Heat-related deaths in high school players dip
http://www.physorg.com/news136656730.html

Heat Illnesses: Why football players are at risk
http://www.momsteam.com/sports/football-tackle/safety/heat-illnesses-eight-reasons-why-football-players-are-at-risk

The NOAA Heat & Humidity Calculator
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/jkl/?n=heat_index_calculator

Preventing heat related illness
http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d8008612b&template=with-video&confirm=true

Why Herbal Energy Products Are Dangerous For Athletes

Unregulated "herbal energy" products may contribute to heat-related deaths. Ma-Huang and Ephedrine have an amphetamine-like effect on the body, raising core body temperature while decreasing the body's natural ability to cool, possibly causing damage to the heart and central nervous system. Creatine Monohydrate is marketed as a muscle builder, but shifts body water from the bloodstream to the muscle cells, making heatstroke more likely. The NFL and the NCAA have both moved to ban Ephedrine use.

Sickle Cell Trait In Athletes

Sickle Cell Trait is a genetic flaw that affects approximately 2.5 to 3.5 Americans. Sickle cell affects the protein in the red blood cells, which carry oxygen to the tissues and organs, possibly causing problems for athletes. Sickle cell trait generally does not produce any symptoms, but may cause a severe reaction during intense physical exertion, extreme heat, high altitudes, and dehydration.

A sickle cell episode can cause shortness of breath, fatigue, and cramping, making it difficult to distinguish from simply being tired. Experts say athletes with the sickle cell trait can compete at the highest levels if they are closely monitored. Adequate hydration is key, as is having proper medical equipment and trained personnel in case of emergency.
(http://sickle.bwh.harvard.edu/sickle_trait.html)