Baylor Scott & White Medical Center — Lake Pointe - - Archived

Dr. Obiora Anusionwu, a cardiologist on the medical staff at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Lake Pointe, is just like many people in that he can quickly think of a handful of star athletes whose sudden cardiac arrest made national headlines. In 1990, there was Hank Gathers, a 23-year-old All-American at Loyola Marymount who died after collapsing during a basketball game. There was also Boston Celtics star Reggie Lewis, who died at just 27 during an off-season workout. Most recently, Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin (25) and USC basketball player Bronny James (19), the son of NBA
superstar LeBron James, miraculously survived similar heart episodes.

It’s difficult to imagine a heart condition impacting athletes, especially considering the training it takes and the peak physical condition they must be in to compete. But sudden cardiac arrest is more common than you think and is typically the result of an underlying condition. It is the leading cause of death in young athletes, thus increasing the importance of awareness, regular screenings, and access to life-saving care onsite and through experienced critical care ICU and coronary teams like those at Baylor Scott & White — Lake Pointe.

“The good thing with Damar and Bronny was that they were treated quickly and survived. But the chance for sudden cardiac death is there,” Dr. Anusionwu said. “If we had a crystal ball, that would be the best way to prevent sudden cardiac arrest and possible death.

“Since we don’t, we must look at ways to raise awareness and reduce the chances of it happening to someone else.”

Heart Health Matters for Athletes

Sudden cardiac arrest is characterized by the sudden loss of all heart activity due to an irregular heart rhythm. In these situations, the victim stops breathing and is rendered unconscious. This might happen suddenly for an athlete during an intense workout or game, as the heart is under extreme stress while pumping blood. Estimates vary, but some reports suggest that about 1 in 50,000 to 1 in 80,000 young athletes die of sudden cardiac death each year. Male athletes are nearly four times as
likely to die than female athletes. Black athletes are about three times as likely as white athletes to die from sudden cardiac arrest.

Dr. Anusionwu said immediate treatment, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and shocks to the heart with a device called an automated external defibrillator (AED), increases the chance of survival. In a perfect world, these services would be provided onsite within three minutes of the victim’s episode, either by a coach, trainer, or onsite medical staff.

From there, the patient must be transported to a local hospital. This is where Baylor Scott & White — Lake Pointe can help.

Baylor Scott & White — Lake Pointe has delivered advanced heart and vascular services and emergency care to Rowlett and surrounding communities for decades. In 2020, Baylor Scott & White – Lake Pointe entered into an agreement with Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital – Plano to advance the delivery of cardiovascular healthcare, enabling patients to remain close to home when possible. The hospitals work together on complex patient cases, utilizing leading specialists at the forefront of cardiovascular care, including cardiologists, surgeons, electrophysiologists, and radiologists on the medical staff, along with nurses and support teams to provide patients of any age the life-saving care they need for a wide range of heart conditions. That includes sudden cardiac arrest.

“Having an excellent team experienced in managing post-cardiac arrest patients is important,” Dr. Anusionwu said. “More importantly, however, it is essential to raise awareness of preventative measures to reduce instances in the first place.”

Prevention Is Key

More often than not, sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes is the result of an undiagnosed heart condition. Most high school, college, and professional organizations now combat that by requiring
routine pre-participation heart screenings for all athletes in competitive sports — regardless of age and even if they don’t have a family history or risk factors for heart disease. These tests are recommended by the American Heart Association and can detect 99% of heart abnormalities.

Dr. Anusionwu also said it’s essential for coaches, players, teammates, and onsite training staff to recognize the warning signs of a player in distress. Signs or symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest might include chest pain, heart palpitations, excessive fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath beyond the norm of intense competition, and nausea.

“If an athlete feels different than what they normally do during exercise or competition, they should be checked out,” Dr. Anusionwu said. “Most importantly, make sure there is high-quality CPR available onsite. It can save someone’s life.”

Baylor Scott & White Medical Center — Lake Pointe
6800 Scenic Drive | Rowlett, Texas 75088
(972) 520-8000 | BSWHealth.com/lakepointe