I'm a physical education teacher. How can I protect my high school students from sudden cardiac death?
The death of several high-profile athletes from heart conditions has raised awareness of sudden cardiac death. Some athletes have warning symptoms, including chest pain, palpitations or lightheadedness when they exercise, but some don't.
The risk of sudden death from all causes among high school and college athletes is one in 200,000. In the US, the most common cause of sudden cardiac death is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which leads to enlargement of the muscle between the two large chambers of the heart. In the wrong situation, this can lead to a fatal arrhythmia.
If your student expresses any of the above signs, they should be taken to see a doctor. Preventive measures involve checking the student's medical history and an annual check up, including checking for heart murmurs and taking blood pressure.
Dr Anthony Luke is a professor of clinical orthopaedic surgery at the University of California, San Francisco. Reprinted with permission of the American College of Sports Medicine's ACSM Fit Society Page
