These factors are putting young athletes’ lives in danger, according to experts

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Luke Coutinho – Official (@luke_coutinho)

Dr Anand Ram, consultant interventional cardiologist at Wockhardt Hospitals Mira Road told indianexpress.com, “The common causes of cardiac arrest in young athletes can include underlying heart conditions such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy ( heart muscle grows too thick), congenital heart defects, coronary artery complications, and arrhythmias. Other factors like family history of heart-related disease, and consuming certain medications can also increase the risk.”

Chirag Barjatya, founder, PFC Club, an online fitness coaching company said, “Sudden cardiac arrest(SDA) is an electrical problem where the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating. SDA in young athletes is often due to underlying heart conditions that may not have been previously diagnosed. Common causes include underlying abnormalities in the coronary arteries’ structure and genetic conditions where the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick.”

Dr Ravi Prakash, senior consultant-cardiology, PSRI Hospital, New Delhi, concurs, “The most common factor of sudden cardiac arrest is the history of similar problems in their generations and the other cause could be Cardiomyopathy.”

Signs and symptoms of a heart attack in young athletes

Dr Niranjan Hiremath, senior consultant cardiovascular and aortic surgeon, at Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi mentioned that cardiac arrest in young athletes may not present with the classic symptoms familiar in older adults.

Dr Gulshan Rohra, cardiac surgeon, at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central, mentioned that the athletes may face chest discomfort, palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, and sweating

Sudden cardiac arrest(SDA) is an electrical problem where the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating. (Source: Freepik)

The most common underlying cardiac conditions

Aman Khatri, a national runner-up player mentioned that many conditions can lead to a heart attack in young athletes such as excessive physical workouts and ample weight training which their body and age don’t even allow.

Improper weather conditions during workouts that their body doesn’t support, changes in workouts and load without even allowing their bodies to adapt them properly, added Khatri.

How does intense physical activity impact the risk of cardiac attacks?

Dr Aman Salwan, consultant interventional cardiologist at CARE Hospitals Banjara Hills, Hyderabad mentioned how intense physical activity impacts the risk of cardiac arrest:

*Increased Cardiac Strain: Intense physical activity increases heart rate and blood pressure, which can exacerbate pre-existing conditions.

*Risk of Arrhythmias: High-intensity exercise can trigger irregular heartbeats in individuals with underlying cardiac conditions.

*Sudden Cardiac Arrest: The combination of intense exercise and a pre-existing condition can lead to sudden cardiac arrest.

How can coaches and trainers help reduce the risk?

Dr Ripen Gupta, senior director and unit head of cardiology, at Max Smart Super Speciality Hospital, Saket said that whenever an athlete is enrolled in a sport there should be a questionnaire that a person should fill out. To do a complete health check-up do an ECG. If some symptoms have not been evaluated by the ECG then the person can be evaluated by the echocardiography or imaging test to find out the problem.

Dr Dilip Kumar, director-cardiac Cath Lab senior consultant interventional cardiologist and electrophysiologist, Medica Institute of Cardiac Science (MICS) suggested, “Athletes, such as marathon runners or sprinters should gradually build their physical tolerance rather than being pushed to take on significant tasks from day one. This approach helps in safely increasing their endurance and performance levels.”

Immediate steps to take if a young athlete shows signs of a cardiac attack

Dr Hiremath suggested that the first step is to stop all physical activity and call emergency services. Coaches and bystanders should be prepared to perform CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and use an automated external defibrillator (AED) if available.

While awaiting professional medical help, the athlete should be kept calm and as comfortable as possible, ensuring they are breathing. Continuous monitoring of vital signs until emergency responders arrive is critical. Preparation and training in emergency procedures are essential for everyone involved in sports, added Dr Hiremath.