Sports medicine stats: Risk of sudden cardiac death in athletes
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
An Italian study looked at the rate of sudden cardiac deaths (SCD) in athletes and produced some interesting results. The relative risk of cardiovascular sudden cardiac death (SCD) in athletes aged 12 to 35 years was 2.5 times higher than nonathletes. The overall annual rate of SCD in US athletes is 1 in 50,000 to 200,000.
The most common cause of SCD in athletes is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), followed by coronary artery anomalies and commotio cordis. SCD in athletes most often occurs during or shortly after intense training or competition. SCD in athletes show a male predominance (>90%), a disproportionate number of HCM-related SCDs in black versus white athletes, and a much higher incidence of SCD in certain sports, such as basketball and football.
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
An Italian study looked at the rate of sudden cardiac deaths (SCD) in athletes and produced some interesting results. The relative risk of cardiovascular sudden cardiac death (SCD) in athletes aged 12 to 35 years was 2.5 times higher than nonathletes. The overall annual rate of SCD in US athletes is 1 in 50,000 to 200,000.