News and Facts about HCM Cases
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.
The first symptom of HCM is often sudden death due to severe arrhythmias or fatal heart rhythms. More facts about HCM are:
- Young athletes are at particular high risk of dying from HCM.
- HCM is linked to exertion from sports.
- HCM is difficult to detect from normal testing.
- Symptoms vary and often go undetected.
- HCM is genetically passed down within families.
- HCM affects 1 in 500 people in the U.S. or 6% of the population.
- According to the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, 100,000 young athletes die each year from cardiovascular disorders including cardiomyopathy, as a result of participation in sports.
- According to the CDC 5,000 - 7,000 young people die each year of Sudden Cardiac Death.
The "Lausanne Recommendations" a report on the problem of sudden death in athletes and prevention strategies, was adopted by the IOC (International Olympic Committee). This report conclusively states that leading cause of non-traumatic sudden death in athletes (90% of all such deaths) is related to pre-existing cardiac abnormality.
Some recent news items include:
- Gaines Adams, Chicago Bears Defensive End, Dies at 26 Read Story>>
- Soccer Is Haunted by an Inexplicable Trend Read Story>>
- Lewis' death still has impact Read Story>>
- Heart Attack Killed French Tennis Player Read Story>>
- Mobley forced to retire Read Story>>
- Phil O'Donnell: 1972-2007. Read Story>>
- A congenital cardiovascular abnormality has become a leading killer of young athletes in the U.S. So why isn't more being done to save those who have it? Read Story>>
- UCF football player Ereck Plancher dies after conditioning drills. Read Story>>
- Glen Oaks' star Veal collapses, dies during game. Read Story>>
- Windsor Spitfires captain Mickey Renaud dead at 19. Read Story>>
- Elite distance runner Ryan Shay, who collapsed and died Saturday during the U.S. men's marathon Olympic trials, had been diagnosed with an enlarged heart but cleared by doctors, his father said. Read Story>>
- North Carolina A&T player collapses, dies after workout. Read Story>>
- 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.
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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
