Bronny James & a Condition You’ve Probably Never Heard of…
For over 30 years, Dr Abbie Swank, Dr Parker Neill and Dr. Timothy Swank have been serving the people of Cary and surrounding areas. We offer affordable Spinal Decompression treatment for patients suffering from conditions relating to herniated and protruding discs, facet problems and more. You'll be pleased to discover... more
Recently, we all learned that the son of basketball legend; Lebron James, is recovering after his heart stopped during basketball practice.This incident highlights the fact that seemingly healthy athletes may have underlying physical problems.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a condition where the heart muscle becomes abnormally thickened, affecting blood flow through the heart. There are often no symptoms, but some individuals may experience symptoms during exercise/ exertion. Diagnosis typically involves an echocardiogram, which measures the thickness of the heart muscle & assesses blood flow.
HCM is often regarded as the most common cause of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in young people & competitive athletes. Since HCM can develop during teenage years when the heart is still growing, early detection through appropriate testing becomes crucial.
Pre-participation physical exams (sports physicals), are essential for young athletes' safety. However, these physicals are fairly basic & frequently fail to detect conditions like HCM. Since athletes often have no symptoms, the importance of a thorough family history cannot be overstated.
Red Flags include:
- family members who died suddenly, especially before age 40.
- or family members with heart failure, atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, stroke, M.I., heart transplant or pacemaker.
In my opinion, patients with these Red Flags should be routinely evaluated with a minimum of an EKG before being cleared for sports participation. Parents, who are often most aware of family histories, should be vigilant & discuss concerns with their provider.
Regular PPEs are vital for young athletes' safety; detecting many physical issues. However, they have limitations in identifying cardiac abnormalities linked to SCD. By being aware & vigilant, health care providers create a safer environment for our young athletes to enjoy physical activity & sports.
