Sudden Cardiac Death in Young Athletes

Sudden cardiovascular death in young athletes is a rare event. Exercise acts as a trigger for sudden cardiac death in people with cardiovascular disease. Greater than 90% of sudden cardiac death occurs during or immediately after a training session or competition. About 80% of nontraumatic sudden deaths in athletes younger than 35 years can be attributed to inherited or congenital structural and functional cardiovascular abnormalities. Of these anomalies, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the most common, accounting for nearly 50% of cases. The second most common cause of sudden death in young athletes is a variety of congenital coronary artery malformations. Myocarditis is another disorder that increases the risk for sudden death, which may occur during both the active and healing phases of the illness. This article will review the causes of sudden cardiovascular death in young athletes, as well as screening strategies, and the emergency department evaluation of cardiac problems in athletes.