Prevention of sudden cardiac death in young athletes
Sudden cardiac deaths in young athletes (less than 35 years old) are rare though highly publicized tragedies, occurring mainly in athletes with underlying cardiovascular diseases. Since these diseases often have a clinically silent course, they should be actively searched for by preparticipation scr...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Slovenian Medical Association
2010-11-01
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| Series: | Zdravniški Vestnik |
| Online Access: | http://vestnik.szd.si/index.php/ZdravVest/article/view/319 |
| Summary: | Sudden cardiac deaths in young athletes (less
than 35 years old) are rare though highly publicized
tragedies, occurring mainly in athletes with
underlying cardiovascular diseases. Since these
diseases often have a clinically silent course,
they should be actively searched for by preparticipation
screening. Preparticipation screening
of athletes varies among different countries.
However, a common European protocol has
been proposed, which comprises a history, clinical
examination, and 12-lead electrocardiogram
(ECG). The inclusion of ECG is based mainly on
Italian results, which showed increased sensitivity
of such screening for a majority of cardiovascular
diseases responsible for sudden cardiac
death (cardiomyopathies, channelopaties, cardiac
conduction tissue diseases). Timely diagnosis
of such cardiovascular diseases, abstinence from
exercise of moderate to high intensity, pharmacotherapy
and other treatment modalities help
to prevent sudden cardiac deaths and progression
of disease in the affected athletes. |
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| ISSN: | 1318-0347 1581-0224 |