Sudden Death
Sudden cardiac death accounts for more deaths in those under 50 years of age than AIDS and breast cancer combined. But given this statistic, which is a US stat but would be very similar to Canada's stats, there is very little in the way of pubic awareness especially compared to breast cancer. I personally know of 3 people in the last 4 years who have died of sudden cardiac death. In the Burlington Post recently there was an article about a former Devil's hockey player who at the age of 39 died of what doctors termed a "malignant arrhythmia". In medical terms this would be ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation. This arrhythmia deprives the brain and vital organs of oxygen because of the ineffective pumping which causes a reduced cardiac output of blood.
My question is whether or not every athlete should have an EP (electrophysiologic) test to determine whether or not they possess the malignant pathway that can contribute to sudden death. On a personal level it is devestating to a family to see their apparently healthy loved one suddenly die without any warning. They have no time to prepare for the end, no indication that their family memeber is "sick". It just happens when they are either asleep in the early hours of the morning or while active.
On a professional and economical level (residing in Canada anyway) there are complication rates and money to consider. The test involves several catheters being inserted into the femoral vein and moved into the heart. Medication and stimulation is administered to provoke the "pathway" which can cause these arrhythmias. There are complications however very small. The cost could cripple our health care system. That said, can we lower these young, promising lives down to the lowest common denominator? Can we say "if they die, they die. That's that" because we can't afford it? Can a woman afford to lose her life mate and father of her children? Can a mother afford to lose her one and only 22 year old son?
If it became a private pay system it would resolve the burden on the health care system but how many people would care to pay? I know I have a hard time getting my husband to the doctor period without him having to pay for it. There is no short answer to this quandry and I am definately not the one to venture an answer, but what I can do is attempt to educate those who at the highest risk and hope that there is always someone around who can administer life saving CPR.
I encourage any athlete to at least undergo a cardiology consult and stress test to potentially reduce the incidence that they will die of sudden cardiac death.
My question is whether or not every athlete should have an EP (electrophysiologic) test to determine whether or not they possess the malignant pathway that can contribute to sudden death. On a personal level it is devestating to a family to see their apparently healthy loved one suddenly die without any warning. They have no time to prepare for the end, no indication that their family memeber is "sick". It just happens when they are either asleep in the early hours of the morning or while active.
On a professional and economical level (residing in Canada anyway) there are complication rates and money to consider. The test involves several catheters being inserted into the femoral vein and moved into the heart. Medication and stimulation is administered to provoke the "pathway" which can cause these arrhythmias. There are complications however very small. The cost could cripple our health care system. That said, can we lower these young, promising lives down to the lowest common denominator? Can we say "if they die, they die. That's that" because we can't afford it? Can a woman afford to lose her life mate and father of her children? Can a mother afford to lose her one and only 22 year old son?
If it became a private pay system it would resolve the burden on the health care system but how many people would care to pay? I know I have a hard time getting my husband to the doctor period without him having to pay for it. There is no short answer to this quandry and I am definately not the one to venture an answer, but what I can do is attempt to educate those who at the highest risk and hope that there is always someone around who can administer life saving CPR.
I encourage any athlete to at least undergo a cardiology consult and stress test to potentially reduce the incidence that they will die of sudden cardiac death.
posted by Blair A-E at 5:23 PM
