Identification of risk factors for exertional heat illness: a brief commentary on genetic testing.
OBJECTIVE
This commentary discusses known links between Exertional Heat Illness (EHI), Malignant Hyperthermia (MH), and other hereditary diseases of muscle. Genetic and functional testing is also evaluated as measures of fitness to return to duty/play.


METHODS
Reviews and research articles from Sports Medicine, Applied Physiology, and Anesthesiology.


METHODS
Detailed comparisons of existing literature regarding clinical cases of EHI and MH and the potential utility of genetic testing, specifically the ryanodine receptor (RYR1) gene and other genes related to disorders of skeletal muscle.


RESULTS
EHI is a complex disorder wherein physiological, environmental, and hereditary factors interact to endanger an individual's ability to maintain thermal homeostasis.


CONCLUSIONS
Individuals' genetic background is likely to play an important role, particularly when EHI recurs. Recurrent EHI has been associated with MH and other genetic disorders, highlighting the importance of identification and exclusion of individuals with known high risk factors.
Muldoon
Sheila
S
Department of Anesthesiology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, USA. smuldoon@usuhs.mil
Bunger
Rolf
R
Deuster
Patricia
P
Sambuughin
Nyamkhishig
N
D015706:Bibliometrics; D005820:Genetic Testing; D006359:Heat Exhaustion / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008305:Malignant Hyperthermia / Q000235:genetics; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States