Why checking heart health is important for athletes
74Normal EKG
It was earlier this month when I participated in the San Jose Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon. I was having a great run and was excited as I neared the finish line. Approaching the end point, however, I slowed down as I saw a man collapsed on the ground. I continued on my way when medical aides assisted him. Now I feel terrible because I believe that the man I saw was one of the two runners who died in that race from heart problems.
I had heard about people dropping to the ground while running or exercising extensively, especially in marathons and other such intense events. However, there are a multitude of stories of youth who are dying from undiscovered heart problems in high school sports games or events. Just this past weekend in Concord, California (near where I live), 15-year-old Darius Jones died during a basketball game from a heart attack. His mother and grandmother were at the game. Also, last year in the south bay, high school senior Michael Halpin died after a football game, also from heart problems.
It's becoming clear that even youth are at risk for heart issues triggered by sports and exercise. Though students are required to have physicals before participating in school sports, the physicals don't include electrocardiograms (EKGs), which can often detect heart abnormalities.
In San Francisco, a medical trial provided EKGs to 240 high school athletes. Out of those 240 students, the EKGs detected problems in 15 different students who were unaware of any issues before. Some proceeded to have heart surgery afterwards. What if they hadn't had the EKGs?
As I'm now training for a marathon, this compels me to want to get my heart tested. While completing a marathon is important to me, it's not more important to me than my life. My partner has a history of heart problems in his family and is careful about the activities he participates in, and I think this is wise. These stores are something that I think a lot of people should know about, whether you're a parent with student athletes, or if you're an athlete yourself. It happens more than I thought.
EKGs often aren't covered by insurance, but can be between $25-$120, which isn't an astronomical price. I think it's a great investment in your health and in your future, and now I'm truly going to look into them before the marathon.
Additional resources
- Heart Attack Causes, Signs, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment on eMedicineHealth.com
Read about heart attack symptoms such as chest pain, profuse sweating and nausea. Women and the elderly may not have the classic signs, as well as other individuals. Information including causes, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment are included in - The Science of Sport: Heart attacks in sport - a tragic death and call to action
- Electrocardiogram - Yahoo! Health
An electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) is a test that checks for problems with the electrical activity of your heart. An EKG translates the heart's electrical activity into line tracings on paper. The spikes and dips in the line tracings a - Darius Jones collapses during a DVC basketball game
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Comments
Good call, Bowen. Even people who aren't big athletes should consider checking heart health!
A helpful "heads up" on such an important subject. Thanks!
It is really important not only sportpersons, but everyone must go for general check-ups atleast once in a year. Thank u for sharing.
It's good for EVERYONE to pay attention to the heart. No Heart = no YOU.
Allow me to point you to this article about surviving cardiac arrest: http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/09/21/cardiac.arres
Good point about getting an EKG. And getting the RIGHT doctor meaning one who is alert and wise enough to include an EKG is an absolute.
I had some pains in my left arm and jaw and back of neck.
The doctor (Kaiser) who checked me out did not give me an EKG and said I had pulled a muscle in my back. He prescribed muscle relaxers.
Three weeks later the same thing occurred again. I skipped Kaiser this time and went to St. Vincent Hospital in Beaverton, Oregon.
It never was my back - an EKG and an Angiogram showed heart problems. I got a "stent" put in one artery and was told my other arteries were clear. Four weeks later I got some great news -- it really wasn't a heart attack - just on the edge -- and I had suffered no heart damage.
I eat one whole 325 mg aspirin a day forever.
Yea, getting the RIGHT doctor and one that will treat you with heart-savvy techniques is essential to a long and fulfilling life...
And, always keep this in mind when choosing your doctor; "not every doctor graduated medical school with straight As."
Great advice, Glassvisage. Second one would be, listen your own body while running, if it is too much for you, slow down and adjust the speed with needs of the body.
well i think it is not only important for sportsman but for all people. Heart is the center of our body if it does not work well we will not remain fit for it.
Good information. Thanks for the insight.
Nice hub! There is no doubt that athlete needs good health but every one needs any way nice hub!!!
Pinktaxi, that's a great point that you bring up... Not every doctor is perfect! Or near perfect...
Tatjana, I'd say you hit the main point! If you're not feeling well while you're running and you know something's not right, well, you're the only one who can know that.
Well said, Vizey and neysajasper... This affects everyone, not just athletes!
Thanks sororityhousemom for stopping by!
Athletes have a way of ignoring warning signs in the interest of finishing their scheduled programs. However, any discomfort during rigorous exercises needs to be examined. Your hub brings that out in a good way.
Heart check up is importnat for all of us time to time.. but for athelets it is more imoortant.. Thanks for teh information :)
Great article. Does anyone remember Jim Fixx? I recommend heart rate monitors for anyone participating in endurance events. Keeping a close eye on your body's reaction to exertion and keeping track of your arterial health and blood composition becomes increasingly important for older athletes. As a former marathoner and competitive boxer and kickboxer, I never thought much of logging my heart rate. Now 10 years later as a certified personal trainer I put one on every client I train, get physicians releases, and watch them like a hawk. I read Precision Heart Rate Training by Edmund R. Burke. I highly recommend it. And always ALWAYS listen to your M.D. Thanks for the great article. -Coach Albert
Sports-related heart attacks in the news
- Jersey 'most heart attack aware'BBC News13 hours ago
Jersey is one of the most heart attack aware places in Great Britain ad the Channel Islands, a first aid charity says.
- TV station stands by Meyer heart attack storyBay News 9 Tampa Bay29 hours ago
Orlando-based television station WKMG is standing by a story they reported, claiming Florida Gators football coach Urban Meyer suffered a heart attack during the 2009 season.
- Source: Meyer Had Heart Attack During SeasonLocal 6 Orlando4 days ago
A source confirms to Local 6 sports director David Pingalore that Florida head coach Urban Meyer, who is resigning, suffered a heart attack during the season.
fishskinfreak2008 says:
2 months ago
Excellent article raising awareness. Tim Russert had a similar condition. He SEEMED perfectly healthy until he collapsed during a home workout. It is tragic. Thanks