Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Sometimes sudden cardiac arrest happens in seemingly healthy athletes. In these cases, it often means the athlete has an undiagnosed condition, such as an enlarged heart or cardiomyopathy.
Causes
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), there are many causes of cardiomyopathy in children, including some that are not fully understood. Common causes include:
- Inheriting the condition from one or both parents
- A viral infection
- Toxins affecting other organs
- Using chemotherapy drugs
- Metabolic, mitochondrial or systemic diseases in parts of the body other than the heart
Warning signs
The AAP also says recognizing the warning signs of sudden cardiac arrest is also important. If your student experiences any of the following, he or she should see a pediatric cardiologist for an evaluation:
- Chest pain or discomfort during physical activity
- Fainting or near fainting without warning or during physical activity
- Seizure without warning or during physical activity
- Excessive fatigue associated with exercise
- Unusually fast heart rate or rhythm with an unknown cause
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
1-8. According to the AAP, if your student is experiencing excessive fatigue associated with exercise, it may be a warning sign of _____.
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