Over the weekend viewers watched in shock as Bolton Wanderers midfielder, Fabrice Muamba collapsed during a football match against Tottenham Hotspurs. He was not pushed or tackled. Just collapsed. Medical units ran onto the field and started performing actual resuscitation on the pitch. Some fans in the stadium started crying. Fabrice, who is 23years old, had just suffered cardiac arrest.
Cardiac arrest is not the same as a heart attack. Cardiac arrest causes a chaotic rhythm, or the heart to stop completely, while a heart attack is typically a much slower process caused by a blockage in the blood supply to the muscular heart wall. But what would cause cardiac arrest in an otherwise fit individual?
SkyNews speculates Hocum - or hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) - which is caused by a genetic abnormality that causes the muscle of the heart in well-exercised people to grow much thicker than it should.
Currently Fabrice is still in critical condition but many say that the timely resuscitation could very well have saved his life.
Heart disease generally is something most people think only happens to older, smoking or obese people. Young people in particular do not worry much about their hearts.
Millions of elementary, high school and college athletes compete every year without incident. Fortunately, if you or your child is at risk of sudden death, there are screening tests for heart defects, and precautions you can take.
For a variety of reasons, something — such as a structural heart defect — causes the heart to beat out of control. This abnormal heart rhythm is known as ventricular fibrillation.
Some specific causes of sudden cardiac death in young people include:
Ref: SkyNews, MayoClinic, Telegraph.co.uk
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| Fabrice Muamba: Medical staff took two hours to get Muamba breathing again and he is now being closely monitored in the Heart Attack Centre at The London Chest Hospital. |
Cardiac arrest is not the same as a heart attack. Cardiac arrest causes a chaotic rhythm, or the heart to stop completely, while a heart attack is typically a much slower process caused by a blockage in the blood supply to the muscular heart wall. But what would cause cardiac arrest in an otherwise fit individual?
SkyNews speculates Hocum - or hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) - which is caused by a genetic abnormality that causes the muscle of the heart in well-exercised people to grow much thicker than it should.
Currently Fabrice is still in critical condition but many say that the timely resuscitation could very well have saved his life.
Heart disease generally is something most people think only happens to older, smoking or obese people. Young people in particular do not worry much about their hearts.
Millions of elementary, high school and college athletes compete every year without incident. Fortunately, if you or your child is at risk of sudden death, there are screening tests for heart defects, and precautions you can take.
What can cause sudden cardiac death in young people?
The causes of sudden cardiac death in young people vary. About two-thirds of the time, a coroner discovers during an autopsy that the death was due to a heart abnormality.For a variety of reasons, something — such as a structural heart defect — causes the heart to beat out of control. This abnormal heart rhythm is known as ventricular fibrillation.
Some specific causes of sudden cardiac death in young people include:
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). This is a disease in which the heart muscle (myocardium) becomes abnormally thick, making it harder for the heart to pump blood. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, while usually not fatal in most people, is the most common cause of heart-related sudden death in people under 30. It's the most common cause of sudden death in athletes. HCM often goes undetected.
- Coronary artery abnormalities. Sometimes people are born with heart arteries (coronary arteries) that are connected abnormally. The arteries can become compressed during exercise and not provide proper blood flow to the heart.
- Long QT syndrome (LQTS). Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is an inherited heart rhythm disorder that can cause fast, chaotic heartbeats. The rapid heartbeats, caused by changes in the part of your heart that causes it to beat, may lead to fainting, which can be life-threatening. In some cases, your heart's rhythm may be so erratic that it can cause sudden death. Young people with long QT syndrome have an increased risk of sudden death.
Symptoms parents, coaches and others should be on the lookout for that signal a young person is at high risk of sudden cardiac death?
Many times these deaths occur with no warning, but there are two symptoms to watch for:- Unexplained fainting (syncope). Sudden and unexplained fainting that occurs during physical activity could be a sign that there's a problem with your heart. Seizures also can occur.
- Family history of sudden cardiac death. The other major warning sign is a family history of unexplained deaths before the age of 50. This obviously isn't a physical symptom like fainting, but deaths like this in your family should prompt you to pay close attention and perhaps talk with your doctor about screening options.
Ref: SkyNews, MayoClinic, Telegraph.co.uk
i like thanks, i ddnt knw a heart attack and cardiac arrest are different
ReplyDeleteStee this is an informative piece thank you for sharing now we know. My question... What causes the heart muscle (myocardium) becomes abnormally thick,is it diet or what?
DeleteThank you for the informative piece...frankly, I didn't care much about my health. My mindset before Saturday was as long as I'm not on a stretcher or unconcious or in immense pain - then its something my body can recover rom on its own...but thats clearly not the case!!! Medical check ups are not just for the really ill or those who just want to use their medical aid - they are for real! and reading your blogs makes me realise that in a 'fun' to read way! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteAndrew, the heart wall becomes abnormaly thick due to a genetic abnormality and forms in individuals who exercise a lot like footballers. Like I said it frequently goes undetected.
ReplyDeleteIt is true, young people do not bother with medical check ups. Let this be a reminder that many diseases have no symptoms and can only be detected after routine check-ups.
I try to explain this and other medical things in a 'fun' way, albeit serious, doesn't have to be boring to read! Thank you for the appreciation! Now when is your next check up?
am so proud of u stee...
ReplyDeleteokay next time someone just collapses next to u here is wat to do
i) call for help(just shout as yo doin no.2,dnt run to get the help, JUST SHOUT)
ii) feel the side of the neck for a pulse(beat)
iii) if absent then start pressing his/her chest- that area btn the breasts n slightly to the left(hope the heart aint on the other side).. press it as hard n as fast as u can
iv) if pulse is present, then check if he is breathing..
if not, then it becomes complicated- lift his chin up into sniffing position n if yo brave enough start giving him the "breaths of life"
ps;with the chest compressions(pressing), u will save 60-70% of the patients
nw lets go save a life
Jan! I think you need to tell us more in future! Thank you so much for that expert life-saving insight.
ReplyDelete