Sudden death, a matter of prevention

In Spain around 40,000 sudden deaths occur per year, of which between 40 and 50 occur in young athletes. Timely detection of certain heart diseases and prevention can prevent cases from reaching the death.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation measures

When failed to prevent cardiac arrest, defibrillation is the most effective treatment measure. It is very important the time from which the patient 's heart stops and the defibrillator is applied as it is estimated that for every minute there is a 10% less chance that the patient recovers.

If you do not have to hand this method, the second important measure is the heart massage with that achieved prolong the time in which defibrillation can be effective.

Diagnosis of genetic heart disease

In the event that has already occurred sudden death of a young athlete or not, it is essential that a full autopsy is performed, including a thorough examination of the heart and even genetic analysis and a comprehensive family study. Thanks to family genetic study can reach the causal diagnosis. The detection of a genetic heart disease as a cause of sudden death allow relatives to study because it is known that 50% of them may have inherited the same disease and therefore be at risk.

Currently, the study of families with possible heart disease is helping to better diagnosis and prevention of these diseases and their fearful consequence, which in some cases is sudden death. Fortunately, over the past 30 years, cardiovascular medicine has developed the implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), a device that is inserted under the skin of the patient at risk and who is able to prevent a sudden death occurs.

Measures to prevent sudden death

• Improve health habits and control of cardiovascular risk factors. It is essential to act quickly in the prevention of coronary heart disease, intervening especially in childhood obesity and decreased physical activity. In the case of adults, it is also recommended healthier food and increase physical exercise. Specialists Cardiology recommend walking at least half an hour every day and quitting smoking, controlling blood pressure, weight, cholesterol and diabetes.

• Conduct medical examinations athletes. This should be done from children to adults, professionals and amateurs, trained and beginners. The review should include a complete personal and family medical history, physical examination and an electrocardiogram interpreted by a cardiologist. In this time when fashion are stress tests, many of these athletes often ignore the need for adequate medical and believe their fitness and sport protect them from cardiovascular disease, but not always. Evaluation and medical monitoring should be part of routine athlete.

• Call a specialist to study a possible hereditary heart disease. A history of sudden death in the family or a serious pathology of this type in the near young family to us may be indicative of a hereditary heart disease.

• public Defibrillation. This is critical when failed to prevent cardiac arrest, but attention because only have 10 minutes to act. In this sense, it is essential coverage semiautomatic defibrillators in public places and training programs in basic CPR for the general population.

Edited by Roser Berner Ubasos.