Athletes dying of Sudden Cardiac Death have sparked recent news and media attention with a growing push for athletes to receive heart screening. Usual testing does not detect HCM – many athletes have normal EKGs prior to having their fatal event. This problem is so significant that it has attracted major media attention from ESPN, The Wall Street Journal and television broadcasts to promote public awareness and screening.

Some recent news items include:

• Pittsburgh Penguins owner/captain Mario Lemieux hospitalized for irregular heartbeat 11/14/2005. Read Story>>
• During a November 21, 2005 hockey game, Detroit Red Wings defenceman Jiri Fischer collapsed, went into convulsions followed by cardiac arrest. His heart was restarted by CPR and an auto defibrillator. Fisher passed all previous health screening tests but was told that his heart was slightly enlarged. Read story>>
• “ESPN looks at Herrion case” by Tom FitzGerald, September 17, 2005 discussed the sudden death of 23 year old Thomas Herrion, 49ers guard, after an exhibition game. Herrion had passed all physical examination tests. His autopsy report revealed death due to HCM. Dr. Steve Ommen, a cardiologist at the Mayo Clinic's HCM department, told ESPN “it was unlikely that an echocardiogram would have missed the condition.”
• The death of 28-year-old Atlanta Hawks center Jason Collier was confirmed on autopsy to be due to a sudden heart rhythm disturbance caused by an abnormally enlarged heart. Read Story>>
• "Case Grows for Screening Young Athletes for Dangerous Heart Conditions..." by Kevin Helliker and Kathryn Kranhold, Wall Street Journal newspaper, June 21, 2005 was one of a series of articles to disclose a significant problem related to Sudden Cardiac Death in athletes and the need for prevention through screening tests.
• Numerous K-State Heart Screening Events featured in the news regarding the Anthony Bates Foundation, formed in 2002 by Sharon Bates, mother of 20 year old Kansas State football player Anthony Bates who died of Sudden Cardiac Death. The foundation’s mission is to promote awareness and save lives through early detection of HCM.
• A recent program aired on ESPN, hosted by Bob Ley and called "Outside the Lines," focused on the problem of HCM in athletes.
• Updated: Oct. 19, 2005, 12:44 AM ET
  Autopsy incomplete, but focus is on heart 'abnormality'
  By Chris Sheridan
  ESPN Insider
• Updated: March 3, 2005, 4:29 PM ET
  FIFA to set up research center to shed light on mysterious soccer deaths
  Associated Press
  Soccer News Wire
• Updated: Dec. 10, 2004, 9:51 PM ET
  FIFA backs IOC on prevention of sudden death in sport
  Reuters Internet Delivery System
  Soccer News Wire
• Updated: Dec. 10, 2004, 4:16 PM ET
  Doctors urged to step up testing of athletes to reduce heart attacks
  Associated Press
  Olympics News Wire
• Updated: May 6, 2004, 7:46 PM ET
  Medical examiner: Canisius basketball player died of `natural causes'
  Associated Press
  Mens College Basketball News Wire