Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and the other principal cause of unexpected cardiac death, ventricular arrhythmia, are said to be generally hereditary conditions. Anybody who have had their family member expire abruptly or died young from inexplicable causes appeared to be at an elevated risk for unexpected cardiac death, particularly during intense exercise.
Those having a family record of this type ought to deem a further thorough heart assessment; counting an electrocardiogram (ECG) and an echocardiogram i.e. heart ultrasound. Moreover, they must look for medical proficiency prior to taking part in an exhausting exercise or an aggressive sport.
Two young athletes, Chicago Bears defensive end Gaines Adams, 26, and Southern Indiana center Jeron Lewis, 21, expired this month. Apparently they died owing to abrupt cardiac death. Initial autopsy reports point out that both the athletes appeared to have inflated hearts at the time of their death.
One wonders as to how such young as well as a healthy and fit athlete to expire unexpectedly. A close glance at the family tree may generally disclose the answer.
“Precise figures vary, but it’s clear that the top causes of sudden death in a young athlete are inherited heart diseases,†commented, Charles Hong, M.D., director of Vanderbilt’s Inherited Heart Disease Clinic.
The primary reason for this is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Due to this condition, the heart is thickened or enlarged. Owing to this disease, Ryan Shays, the 28-year-old U.S. long-distance runner expired at the Olympic Marathon Trials in 2007.
Although the unforeseen collapse and death of young athletes at the pink of their health may acquire newspaper headlines, it is, luckily, an extremely uncommon happening. But abrupt cardiac death in the common population is said to be quite common. As per Hong, Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy may affect 1 person from 500 people.