Doctors explained the cause of sudden cardiac arrest in young people

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Sports can trigger sudden cardiac arrest in young people, but physical exertion is not the cause of this condition, according to cardiologists Jonathan Kim and Lily Barush.

Kim, who specializes in sports medicine, explained that sudden cardiac arrest in young people is usually caused by an inherited structural or electrical abnormality of the heart muscle. He emphasized that often these defects do not manifest themselves in any way during life and remain unnoticed even during specialized examinations. “Believe it or not, sudden cardiac arrest can be the first manifestation of pathology,” Kim said.

In turn, sports cardiology specialist Barush said that during sudden cardiac arrest, a person instantly loses consciousness, often this happens during physical exertion. In her opinion, it is not only sports that provoke an attack, other processes in the body can also affect this – dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, a surge of cortisol or adrenaline. “We do not have an exact answer to the question of why physical exercise is a risk. We believe that it is a combination of all factors,” Barush noted.

The cardiologist warned that sudden cardiac arrest can occur at any age and with any lifestyle, but men over 40 are at increased risk. To prevent a dangerous condition, she advised consulting a doctor if exercise or other intense physical activity is accompanied by dizziness, chest pain, or loss of consciousness.