The collapse of athletes during or after the match is not uncommon. For instance, in 2007, Sevilla footballer Antonio Puerta died 3 days after collapsing during a Primera Liga match, and in 2003, Cameroon's Marc-Vivien Foe died during a Confederations Cup match.
Figures revealed by the Italian researchers from the Institute of Sports Medicine at the University of Florence, show that one young athlete dies every 3 days from an unrecognized heart disease in the United States alone. Therefore, the researchers recommend mandatory heart screenings for all athletes as this could detect potentially fatal problems and save lives.
Their paper published on July 4, 2008 in the British Medical Journal indicated that exercise electrocardiograms could identify cardiac abnormalities among people who seek to take part in competitive sports. In their opinion, a family history and physical examination may miss many undiagnosed heart problems
The study analyzed data from more than 30,000 heart screenings over a period of 5 years (between 2002 and 2006). It was found that 1,459 people showed some form of heart problem during an exercise electrocardiogram and 348 people had abnormal results during their resting electrocardiogram. Only 159 of these people had serious conditions that prevent them from competing. Yet, only 6 of these athletes would have been identified through a family history and physical examination.
Incidentally, Italy is the only country where these tests are mandatory. The tests will cost 40 euro and is recommended by the researchers as mandatory in other countries.
The issue of pre-screening programs using electrocardiograms has been controversial. In fact, the American Heart Association had reaffirmed in 2007 their recommendation against universal use of electrocardiography, citing cost, low prevalence of disease and a high false positive rate. On the other hand, the European Society of Cardiology, International Olympic Committee and other sports league do endorse the screenings on grounds on grounds basis as some studies have found them effective.
A detailed personal and family history and physical examination will detect some athletes with underlying heart disease, but the addition of screening process using electrocardiograms will detect more athletes with silent cardiovascular disorders at risk of sudden death, as indicated by some health experts.
Figures revealed by the Italian researchers from the Institute of Sports Medicine at the University of Florence, show that one young athlete dies every 3 days from an unrecognized heart disease in the United States alone. Therefore, the researchers recommend mandatory heart screenings for all athletes as this could detect potentially fatal problems and save lives.
Their paper published on July 4, 2008 in the British Medical Journal indicated that exercise electrocardiograms could identify cardiac abnormalities among people who seek to take part in competitive sports. In their opinion, a family history and physical examination may miss many undiagnosed heart problems
The study analyzed data from more than 30,000 heart screenings over a period of 5 years (between 2002 and 2006). It was found that 1,459 people showed some form of heart problem during an exercise electrocardiogram and 348 people had abnormal results during their resting electrocardiogram. Only 159 of these people had serious conditions that prevent them from competing. Yet, only 6 of these athletes would have been identified through a family history and physical examination.
Incidentally, Italy is the only country where these tests are mandatory. The tests will cost 40 euro and is recommended by the researchers as mandatory in other countries.
The issue of pre-screening programs using electrocardiograms has been controversial. In fact, the American Heart Association had reaffirmed in 2007 their recommendation against universal use of electrocardiography, citing cost, low prevalence of disease and a high false positive rate. On the other hand, the European Society of Cardiology, International Olympic Committee and other sports league do endorse the screenings on grounds on grounds basis as some studies have found them effective.
A detailed personal and family history and physical examination will detect some athletes with underlying heart disease, but the addition of screening process using electrocardiograms will detect more athletes with silent cardiovascular disorders at risk of sudden death, as indicated by some health experts.
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