Review

Sudden Cardiac Death in Athletes
Peem Lorvidhaya, Shoei K. Stephen Huang

Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock,Tex., USA

Address of Corresponding Author

Cardiology 2003;100:186-195 (DOI: 10.1159/000074812)

  Key Words

• Athletes
• Athlete's heart
• Sudden cardiac death
• Syncope
• Ventricular tachyarrhythmia

  Abstract

Sudden cardiac death in athletes, although relatively uncommon, is a well-recognized condition generally associated with some congenital abnormalities. It, however, continues to be of vast interest to the public as athletes are seen as a distinct group of individuals who are especially able to tolerate more intense physical activities than the general population. Obviously, intense activities predispose susceptible athletes to sudden cardiac death, hence the importance of pre-participation screening tests. As the cost of healthcare continues to be on the rise, there will be increasing difficulty justifying a nation-wide method of screening cost-effectively. This article is intended to describe the possible underlying causes of sudden cardiac death discovered thus far, as well as methods for detection, pre-participation guidelines, and emerging therapy.

Copyright © 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Shoei K. Stephen Huang, MD
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
3601 4th Street/STOP 9410
Lubbock, TX 79430-9410 (USA)
Tel. +1 806 743 3155, ext. 225, Fax +1 806 743 3148, E-Mail stephen.huang@ttuhsc.edu

  Article Information

Received: July 1, 2003
Accepted: September 26, 2003
Number of Print Pages : 10
Number of Figures : 2, Number of Tables : 2, Number of References : 166