title: The Historical Perspective of Athletic Sudden Death.
abstract: Since antiquity, the athlete has been elevated to a heroic status both within small communities and at the international level. Although numerous population studies have estimated athletic sudden death to be a rare event, the consequences resonate far beyond those directly affected. Sports cardiology has evolved as a result of these tragedies, which highlighted a need for safer play and more programmatic protection of the athlete in play. In this article, athletic sudden death is analyzed from a historical and literary perspective and the development of modern initiatives to protect athletes from sudden death is reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Cardiology, University of Virginia, PO Box 800386, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA. Electronic address: WH7D@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu.
authors.forename: Walter J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Hoyt
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Cardiology, University of Virginia, PO Box 800386, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.
authors.forename: Peter N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Dean
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, University of Virginia, PO Box 800386, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.
authors.forename: Robert W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Battle
mesh_terms: D002309:Cardiology / Q000266:history*; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000266:history; D013178:Sports Medicine / Q000266:history*
keywords: Athletes; Historical perspective; Sports cardiology; Sudden death