Sudden Cardiac Death in Athletes: Still Much to Learn

摘要

Athletes are often regarded as individuals at the pinnacle of health and fitness, nearly to the point of invincibility. The sudden cardiac death (SCD) of an athlete is therefore generally unexpected and extremely traumatic. Some of the most commonly identified causes of SCD in athletes include the genetic heart diseases. Despite thorough clinical and genetic investigation, in some cases a cause of death cannot be elucidated. Further research in these areas, spanning clinical, genetic, and public health perspectives, is required to help guide clinicians and those encountering the tragedy of SCD in an athlete.