What to Know About Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Young Athletes

In the exciting world of sports, where wins bring cheers and heroes emerge, there's a silent danger lurking in the shadows: sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes. 

On January 2nd, 2023, as millions watched, Damar Hamlin, a 24-year-old safety for the Buffalo Bills, collapsed on live TV after completing a tackle.

A few months later, another alarming incident hit even closer to home. Bronny James, son of NBA legend LeBron James and a rising college basketball star, faced his own cardiac scare, sending shockwaves through the sports community. 

These incidents serve as stark reminders that beyond the glory of the game lies a serious risk. In this article, we'll unravel the mystery of sudden heart problems in young athletes.

In Today’s Edition

We interviewed Dr. Lior Bibas, a cardiologist at the Montreal Heart Institute, affiliated with the University of Montreal.

How Common is Cardiac Arrest in Athletes?

Estimates suggest that:

• 1 in 50,000 young athletes die of sudden cardiac death each year.

• Greater than 90% of sudden cardiac deaths occurs during or immediately after a training session or competition.

• The risk for sudden death in young athletes with cardiovascular disease is 2.5 times higher than that in non-athletes.

What Are the Risk Factors?

Several risk factors have been pinpointed as contributing to sudden cardiac death in young athletes.