title: Identification of risk factors for exertional heat illness: a brief commentary on genetic testing.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, USA. smuldoon@usuhs.mil
authors.forename: Sheila
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Muldoon
authors.forename: Rolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bunger
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Deuster
authors.forename: Nyamkhishig
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sambuughin
mesh_terms: 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