title: Sudden Cardiac Death in Athletes.
abstract: There are clear health benefits to exercise; even so, patients with cardiac conditions who engage in exercise and athletic competition may on rare occasion experience sudden cardiac death (SCD). This article reviews the epidemiology and common causes of SCD in specific athlete populations. There is ongoing debate about the optimal mechanism for SCD prevention, specifically regarding the inclusion of the ECG and/or cardiac imaging in routine preparticipation sports evaluation. This controversy and contemporary screening recommendations are also reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Meagan M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Wasfy
authors.affiliation: Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Adolph M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Hutter
authors.affiliation: Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Rory B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Weiner
mesh_terms: D056352:Athletes; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004562:Electrocardiography; D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: athlete; electrocardiogram; exercise; sudden cardiac arrest; sudden cardiac death