Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) in Athletes
Understanding SCD in Athletes
Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) in athletes is a rare but devastating event where an apparently healthy athlete experiences sudden, unexpected cardiac arrest during or shortly after exercise. Let's break down the main causes that can lead to this tragic occurrence.
While SCD is relatively rare (approximately 1 in 50,000-100,000 athletes per year), understanding its causes is crucial for prevention and screening.
Primary Causes of SCD
1. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)
- Most common cause of SCD in young athletes
- Characterized by abnormal thickening of heart muscle
- Often genetic in nature
- Can restrict blood flow and cause dangerous arrhythmias
HCM can often be detected through routine screening with an echocardiogram, which is why pre-participation screening is so important.
2. Congenital Coronary Artery Anomalies
- Second most common cause
- Abnormal arrangement or structure of coronary arteries
- Can limit blood flow to heart muscle during exercise
- May go undetected until a cardiac event occurs
3. Commotio Cordis
- Occurs from blunt trauma to the chest
- Most common in contact sports
- Can trigger fatal heart rhythm if impact occurs during vulnerable period of heart cycle
- More common in young athletes due to chest wall flexibility
4. Myocarditis
- Inflammation of heart muscle
- Often triggered by viral infections
- Can weaken heart muscle and cause arrhythmias
- May be temporary but can have severe consequences during intense exercise
Secondary Causes
1. Long QT Syndrome
- Genetic condition affecting heart's electrical system
- Can cause dangerous arrhythmias during exercise
- Often hereditary
- Can be triggered by specific medications
