Parents can take heart in study findings
Sixteen-year-old Ari is passionate about hockey and his parents do everything they can to ensure he’s safe on and off the ice. When Ari seemed “winded” after tough workouts, his parents were concerned.
“We’ve heard tragic stories of young athletes collapsing and dying, and with a history of heart disease in our family, we wanted to ensure it didn’t happen to Ari,” says his father David. “When we heard about a study to determine which young athletes might be at risk for this, we enrolled our son.”
Involving cardiologists with VCH and VCH Research Institute (VCHRI) connections, the study is the first of its kind in Canada. And, on September 29, World Heart Day, its shedding light on the risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) among young athletes.
Sudden cardiac death a rarity
“The goal was to ascertain the prevalence of sudden cardiac death among Canadian athletes,” says Dr. James McKinney, the study’s lead author. Presently, there are no formal guidelines for screening young Canadian athletes. “The most effective method to screen young athletes is not fully understood; our study was developed to help answer this question.”
Physicians with VGH, UBC Hospital, VCHRI, UBC and Sports Cardiology BC screened 1,419 athletes between the ages of 12 and 35 years. Half were screened with the American Heart Association’s recommended questionnaire, a physical exam and an electrocardiogram (ECG). The second group was screened with a more specific questionnaire and an ECG.
The results were heartening. Only seven young athletes — less than one per cent of everyone screened — had signs and symptoms that could lead to SCD. “The risk is on par with other countries,” says Dr. Andrew Krahn, chief of cardiology, VGH.
The seven athletes in the study who had symptoms that could lead to SCD are now being followed clinically. After the age of 35 they’ll face the same risk factors as the general population. Coronary artery disease then becomes the number one cause of death and more general risk factors come into play, including cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, obesity and smoking.
Screening isn’t for everyone
Eighty per cent of the time, SCD is caused by inherited conditions. Although exceedingly rare, SCD raises concerns because athletes younger than 35 often have no warning signs. But, that doesn’t mean screening is needed or appropriate for all young athletes, say the researchers.
“We’re not advocating wholesale screening of young athletes,” says Dr. Saul Isserow, director of the Centre for Cardiovascular Health at VGH and director of cardiology services at UBC Hospital. “But if screening is to be pursued, it should be done within research or academic pursuits, to ensure the athletes are treated accordingly,” adds the founder of Sports Cardiology BC.
The study also showed that ECG is the best single screening method. Combined with a more specific questionnaire, use of the ECG eliminates the need for an on-site physician and physical examinations that contribute to higher false-positive rates.
As for Ari, he’s preparing for another hockey season, and his parents are grateful he had the opportunity to be part of this novel study.
“Our son received a clean bill of health, and our family is relieved,” says his father. “We know you can’t screen every athlete, but if the information gathered in the study helps save one young life, it is well worth it.”
Watch VCH News for coverage of the new Centre for Cardiac Excellence opening at UBC Hospital this fall.
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