Background:
Every year cardiac related deaths occur spontaneously and undiagnosed. Although they are not common these sudden cardiac deaths, SCD, actually occur more often in athletes. According to the article “Sudden Cardiac Death in Athletes” from the Journal of Internal Medicine, the fact that SCD occurs 2-3 times more often in athletes than non-athletes is not surprising considering the workload that excessive exertion adds to the heart. Adding excess workload on a heart with an undiagnosed heart defect or abnormality is exactly what causes these SCD’s in younger adults; however, coronary artery disease with exercise is what causes SCD in people over 35. These deaths could possibly be prevented if mandatory electrocardiogram, EKG, screenings along with the required yearly physical examination were mandatory, and that is what the article is trying to persuade the reader of.
The article talks about how this problem could possibly become worse in the near future due to the large amount of the population being “baby boomers” and the encouragement of national initiatives to be more physically active. This increased amount of older adults who are being encouraged to be more active and who will, according to the article, be less in shape is only going to increase these SCD related events. With proper screening of these athletes and regular exercisers, this could be prevented. Method:
The article suggests that EKG screening cannot detect everything and that people with supposedly “healthy hearts” may need genetic testing. But for now their main priority includes the annual resting EKG screening to determine if an abnormality is present. The EKG can detect cardiomyopathy, valve disease, and electrophysiological disorders. They also suggest having a backup plan of having all necessary equipment available at sporting events such as a defibrillator and personnel trained in Advanced Cardiac Life support/ CPR. Along with the annual physical exam, the EKG will help prevent undiagnosed and unnecessary cardiac deaths.
The article bases their idea from Italy’s already mandated cardiac screening that has been in effect for 30 years. From 1970- 2000 Italy monitored all athletes from 13-14 years of age. The article stated that Italy reduced its SCD events from 4 to 0.4 per 100,000. The AHA and the European Society of cardiology backs the idea of cardiac screening in athletes. The article stated that FIFA (federation international Football Association) and UEFA (Union of European Football Assocation) both use the mandatory cardiac screening along with their mandated physical examinations. So why would the NFL, MLB, NBA and MLS not benefit from these screenings?
Conclusion:
In conclusion the article talks of screening athletes because they are at increased risk, but anyone who regularly exercises as well as non-athletes would all benefit from receiving a yearly cardiac exam as well. Nurses and anyone in the healthcare field could all understand how important a healthy heart is, and they can help promote this idea. All professions and businesses could include this screening in with their required annual physical examination and it could greatly benefit that person’s, as well as the majority of the population’s, life.
, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. Sudden cardiac death in athletes. J Intern Med 2014; 275: 93–103.
Schmied, C., & Borjesson, M. (2014). Sudden cardiac death in athletes. Journal of Internal Medicine, 275(2), 93–103. doi:10.1111/joim.12184
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/joim.12184/full
There are some really interesting implications for this. The fact that there is still a lack of AED's in many businesses and public places is shocking to me. Do you know we don't have an AED at the Fairhope campus?
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that, that's crazy. I figured that all school campuses were required to have them. I feel like there should be one on campus just for us to become more familiar with it, but also in case it's needed in a real situation.
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting reticle to me. It does seem that the United States could learn a lot from Italy in this and that the sports world could benefit greatly from this especially. I have seen quite a few news reports over the last few years of students in high school that have collapsed and had these Sudden Cardiac Deaths. I always wondered why their heart problems and abnormalities weren't detected during their physicals. But, they probably did not receive a proper physical in order to detect these heart abnormalities and ended up losing their lives. Not to mention that a lot of places do not have proper AED equipment like Ms. Pizzotti said. My husband, being a firefighter/EMT, likes to point out places like that. It is 2016, that should be as mandatory as a fire extinguisher in a place of business. They should have to have proper AED equipment everywhere. The cost is going down on them and they are significant in improving the outcome of someone who has a sudden heart attack and requires the use of an AED and CPR. Great article.
ReplyDeleteSCD is a scary thing. I went to high school with someone who recently passed away from an undiagnosed heart defect. I agree that it would be beneficial to start EKG screenings as part of an athletes physical. Its surprising it isn't already required considering the amount of excessive exertion athletes put their body through everyday. Maybe the NFL,NBA,MLB, and other MLS will learn from Italy's mandatory screening and start mandatory screening in the near future. It is also very surprising to me that a lot of places don't have the proper AED equipment like Mrs Pizzotti mentioned. OUR SCHOOL INCLUDED! Great article Cody.
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