Regular screening, early detection and optimal training regimens are critical to reduce the risks of ‘sudden cardiac death’ (SCD) in athletes, stressed a regional health expert.
Rapid resuscitation strategies implemented during sudden cardiac arrest in athletes were deemed necessary to restore circulation and avert death, said Ain Shams University Interventional Cardiology and Sports Cardiology Medicine Consultant Professor Dr Ahmed Ashraf.
He was speaking at a lecture during the Manama Health 2022 (Exhibition and Conference) hosted by Bahrain, which attracted 70 exhibitors including hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, universities, training institutes and government entities as well as 130 leading Gulf, Arab and international speakers.
According to Prof Dr Ashraf, SCD refers to an unexpected death within an hour of symptom onset if witnessed or within 24 hours of being observed alive and symptom-free if unwitnessed.
“SCD is the non-traumatic and unexpected sudden death that may occur from a cardiac arrest, within six hours of a previously normal state of health,” he said.
“Athletes are abnormal subjects and they tend to die in abnormal ways and in subjects under the age of 35 the cause is usually congenital while for those above the age of 35 the cause is usually acquired.
“All the conditions that might harm athletes are just as prevalent in non-athletes, however, athletes are at higher risk.
“Regardless of age, the death of an athlete is a tragic event that is often difficult to comprehend.
“How can some of the ‘healthiest’ and most physically fit members of society succumb to sudden cardiac death?”
According to Prof Dr Ashraf, pre-participation screening is critical to identify high-risk athletes and minimise the risk of SCD.
Athletes that should be targeted by early and regular screening include those with a personal or family history of cardiac disease as well as those with anomalies in their physical examination.
He added that the most common non-traumatic cause of SCD in young competitive athletes – according to data collected in the US – is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – which is a disease in which the heart muscle becomes thickened leading to difficulties in pumping blood.
He revealed that hypertrophic cardiomyopathy often goes undiagnosed because many people with the disease have few, if any, symptoms.
“It is important for individuals, especially athletes, to take subtle discomforts seriously and initiate further evaluation,” he added.
“It is of dire importance to ensure that schools, stadiums, fields and courts have a cardiac emergency response plan in place which includes establishing a cardiac emergency response team as well as trained first-aid staff.
“Good communication is also key to raising awareness while access to regularly maintained AED (automated external defibrillators) on site is critical.
“It is also important to practice drills and also conduct a regular review of the response plan in place.
“SCD is not the end and it is critical to prevent future tragedies by ensuring that survivors will need comprehensive evaluation and appropriate therapy and intervention.
“Family members will also need screening if it is felt that the condition is inherited.”
He reaffirmed while exercise and training lowers the overall risk of cardiovascular disease – vigorous exercise in athletes can increase the risk of SCD in susceptible individuals.
He added that the risks of SCD in athletes can be reduced through screening strategies, early detection and treatment of cardiovascular disease or its risk factors while also implementing optimal exercise training regimens.
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