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Sudden death in young people: Heart problems often blamed
Are there symptoms or red flags parents, coaches and others should be on the lookout for that signal a young person is at high risk of sudden cardiac death?
Should young people with a heart defect avoid physical activity?
Content
How common is sudden cardiac death in young people?
What can cause sudden cardiac death in young people?
How can parents, coaches and others know if a young person is at risk of sudden cardiac death?
Can sudden death in young people be prevented?
Who should be screened for sudden death risk factors?
Should young adults with a heart problem avoid or limit physical activity?
Should young people with a heart defect avoid physical activity?
Content
How common is sudden cardiac death in young people?
What can cause sudden cardiac death in young people?
How can parents, coaches and others know if a young person is at risk of sudden cardiac death?
Can sudden death in young people be prevented?
Who should be screened for sudden death risk factors?
Should young adults with a heart problem avoid or limit physical activity?
What can cause sudden cardiac death in young people?
Changes in the heart's electrical signaling often causes sudden cardiac death. A very fast heartbeat causes the lower heart chambers to squeeze fast and in a way that is not coordinated. The heart can't pump blood to the body. This life-threatening type of irregular heartbeat is called ventricular fibrillation.
Anything that strains the heart or damages heart tissue can increase the risk of sudden cardiac death. Some conditions that can lead to sudden cardiac death in young people are:
- Thickened heart muscle, also called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This genetic condition is the most common cause of sudden cardiac death in young people. It causes the heart muscle to grow too thick. The thickening makes it hard for the heart to pump blood. This can cause fast heartbeats.
- Long QT syndrome. This heart rhythm condition can cause fast, chaotic heartbeats. It's linked to fainting for no reason and sudden death, especially in young people. If you are born with it, it's called congenital long QT syndrome. If it is caused by a medicine or health condition, it is called acquired long QT syndrome.
- Other heart rhythm conditions. Other irregular heart rhythms can cause sudden cardiac death. These include Brugada syndrome and Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.
- Forceful hit to the chest. A blunt chest injury that causes sudden cardiac death is called commotio cordis. Commotio cordis may occur in athletes who are hit hard in the chest by sports equipment or by another player. This condition does not damage the heart muscle. Instead, it changes the heart's electrical signaling. The blow to the chest can trigger ventricular fibrillation. The hit must occur at a specific time in the heart signaling cycle.
- Heart condition present at birth, also called a congenital heart defect. Some people are born with changes in the heart and blood vessels. These changes can reduce blood flow and lead to sudden cardiac death.
