Soccer players are at risk of suffering from sudden cardiac death due to a variety of conditions, including congenital heart disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), and coronary artery abnormalities. Congenital heart disease is the most common cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes, while HCM is an inherited condition in which the walls of the heart muscle thicken, leading to arrhythmias that can cause sudden death. Coronary artery abnormalities can also lead to sudden death when the arteries compress during exercise and don't provide adequate blood flow to the heart muscle. Recently, soccer star Sergio Agüero was forced to retire after receiving a diagnosis of irregular heartbeats.
The King of Morocco praised the national team for their efforts in a great sporting event, while cardiologist Dr. Aneil Malhotra conducted a study examining more than 11,000 16-year-old Football Association players for sudden cardiac death over a 20-year period. Unfortunately, some soccer players have died from cardiac arrest, including Tawfiq Ramzi and Makhlid Al-Raqqadi. Players and coaches in England have called for a less congested schedule to reduce the risk of heart attacks.
If you have a family history of heart disease, fainting, chest pain, or heart irregularities, it is important to book a visit to the doctor's office. This trip could involve having your blood pressure measured or an electrocardiogram done, which can detect some electrical problems in your heart.
