- updated: Feb. 12, 2025
Recently, we all learned that the son of basketball legend; Lebron James, is recovering after his heart stopped during basketball practice.This incident highlights the fact that seemingly healthy athletes may have underlying physical problems.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a condition where the heart muscle becomes abnormally thickened, affecting blood flow through the heart. There are often no symptoms, but some individuals may experience symptoms during exercise/ exertion. Diagnosis typically involves an echocardiogram, which measures the thickness of the heart muscle & assesses blood flow.
HCM is often regarded as the most common cause of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in young people & competitive athletes. Since HCM can develop during teenage years when the heart is still growing, early detection through appropriate testing becomes crucial.
Pre-participation physical exams (sports physicals), are essential for young athletes' safety. However, these physicals are fairly basic & frequently fail to detect conditions like HCM. Since athletes often have no symptoms, the importance of a thorough family history cannot be overstated.
Red Flags include:
- family members who died suddenly, especially before age 40.
- or family members with heart failure, atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, stroke, M.I., heart transplant or pacemaker.
In my opinion, patients with these Red Flags should be routinely evaluated with a minimum of an EKG before being cleared for sports participation. Parents, who are often most aware of family histories, should be vigilant & discuss concerns with their provider.
Regular PPEs are vital for young athletes' safety; detecting many physical issues. However, they have limitations in identifying cardiac abnormalities linked to SCD. By being aware & vigilant, health care providers create a safer environment for our young athletes to enjoy physical activity & sports.
- updated: Feb. 12, 2025
Recently, we all learned that the son of basketball legend; Lebron James, is recovering after his heart stopped during basketball practice.This incident highlights the fact that seemingly healthy athletes may have underlying physical problems.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a condition where the heart muscle becomes abnormally thickened, affecting blood flow through the heart. There are often no symptoms, but some individuals may experience symptoms during exercise/ exertion. Diagnosis typically involves an echocardiogram, which measures the thickness of the heart muscle & assesses blood flow.
HCM is often regarded as the most common cause of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in young people & competitive athletes. Since HCM can develop during teenage years when the heart is still growing, early detection through appropriate testing becomes crucial.
Pre-participation physical exams (sports physicals), are essential for young athletes' safety. However, these physicals are fairly basic & frequently fail to detect conditions like HCM. Since athletes often have no symptoms, the importance of a thorough family history cannot be overstated.
Red Flags include:
- family members who died suddenly, especially before age 40.
- or family members with heart failure, atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, stroke, M.I., heart transplant or pacemaker.
In my opinion, patients with these Red Flags should be routinely evaluated with a minimum of an EKG before being cleared for sports participation. Parents, who are often most aware of family histories, should be vigilant & discuss concerns with their provider.
Regular PPEs are vital for young athletes' safety; detecting many physical issues. However, they have limitations in identifying cardiac abnormalities linked to SCD. By being aware & vigilant, health care providers create a safer environment for our young athletes to enjoy physical activity & sports.
