Is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy common in athletes?
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is traditionally viewed as the most common condition responsible for sudden cardiac death (SCD) in young athletes. 2–4 In a large case series of SCD in 1,866 young athletes, HCM was the causative condition identified in nearly 40 % of cases.
Do most large athletes have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?
 Using E prime 9 cm/s as a cut-off for pathology according to British Society of Echocardiogram guidelines revealed a sensitivity of only 35 % among 56 athletes, 37 of whom were diagnosed with HCM, with the remaining 19 athletes having physiological LVH.
How common is apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?
Apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a rare form of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy that involves thickening of the distal portion of the left ventricular wall. Most commonly seen in the Japan, with a prevalence rate of about 15% of all HCM patient, its incidence in the USA is approximately 3% of HCM cases.
Can athletes have cardiomyopathy?
According to the well-known mortality classifications, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the leading cause of sudden cardiac death in athletes. In addition, HF of various other aetiologies can also contribute to cardiovascular fatalities in this population.
What causes apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is usually caused by abnormal genes (gene mutations) that cause the heart muscle to grow abnormally thick. In most people with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the muscular wall (septum) between the two bottom chambers of the heart (ventricles) becomes thicker than normal.
How do you treat apical HCM?
The medical treatment of patients with apical form of HCM is similar to therapy used in the typical form of HCM. The use of a β-blocker or calcium channel blockers is recommended in patients with preserved ejection fraction in maximal tolerated doses.
Can you play sport with cardiomyopathy?
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). However, patients with a family history of SCD and/or those with mutations that are associated with an increased risk of life-threatening arrhythmias (e.g., Lamin A/C or Filamin C mutation) should be advised not to engage in competitive sports.
Why do athletes get heart attacks?
In most cases, the athletes have an underlying heart abnormality that may have been inherited or remain undiagnosed, cardiologists say. “Exercise likely acts as a trigger,” Goodman said. “And the intensity of the exercise … may make that heart particularly vulnerable to an arrhythmia that can cause a lethal outcome.”
What athletes have died from sudden cardiac death?
- Mohamed Abdelwahab, 22 (2006), soccer.
- Gaines Adams, 26 (2010), Amer. football.
- Jaouad Akaddar, 28 (2012), soccer.
- Davide Astori, 31 (2018), soccer.
- Víctor Hugo Ávalos, 37 (2009), soccer.
- Heath Benedict, 24 (2008), Amer. football.
- Hédi Berkhissa, 24 (1997), soccer.
- Pedro Berruezo, 27 (1973), soccer.