Health Topics > Sudden Cardiac Death

Contributed by Sandy Gates, Registered Nurse
Penrose-St. Francis Health Learning Center

Important Facts
• The sudden cardiac death of an athlete is a tragic occurrence with great impact on a community.
• Sudden athletic field deaths are rare (about 1 in 100,000 or 300,000 high school athletes).
• Sudden death is much more common in young men than women.
• Usually sudden cardiac deaths are caused by previously unsuspected cardiovascular disease including Marfan’s syndrome.
• Many athletes with cardiovascular disease will have no symptoms.
• Standard screening will detect very few athletes that have disease that put them at risk for sudden cardiac death.

General Information
Although only a small proportion of sports participants are at risk for sudden cardiac death, the American Heart Association recommends a complete and careful health history and physical before participation in organized sports. It is important to let your physician know if your athlete has exertional chest pain or feels dizzy when exercising. Also excessive, unexpected and unexplained shortness of breath or fatigue associated with exercise needs to be reported. If a healthcare worker has heard a previous heart murmur or the blood pressure is elevated, make sure this information is relayed during the physical. Family history of sudden death, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy, long QT syndrome, Marfan’s syndrome, or cardiac arrhythmias are risk factors for an athlete having a sudden death. These need to be followed up by a qualified physician prior to starting athletics.

Marfan’s syndrome is an inherited connective tissue disorder. It affects the skeleton, lungs, eyes, and most dangerously the heart and blood vessels. Many sports are strongly discouraged for children and teenagers with Marfan’s syndrome. Contact sports put these children and teenagers at risk for sudden cardiac death.

References & Resources