Why Does Cardiac Arrest Still Occur In Elite Athletes?

Welcome to this edition of The First Aid Show. In this video, we spoke to Professor Sam Mohiddin, a consultant cardiologist, while filming our ToBe Heartsafe training course. We asked him a crucial question: Why does cardiac arrest still occur after screening in some elite athletes?

Understanding the Limits of Screening

Sudden cardiac death in elite athletes is a tragic reality. Despite rigorous screening, some athletes still experience cardiac arrest. It is essential to acknowledge that screening, while highly effective, cannot detect every single cardiac condition.

Screening focuses on identifying pre-existing heart conditions that might pose a risk. However, some conditions develop later, long after screening takes place. For example, infections such as myocarditis can affect the heart muscle at any time. Since they are not present during screening, they go undetected.

Additionally, certain heart conditions remain too subtle to identify in early stages. Some abnormalities start as mild and progress over time. Because of this, an athlete might pass a screening but later develop a more serious problem.

Why Screening Alone Is Not Enough

Since no screening method can detect every possible risk, other strategies must also be in place. This is why training in CPR and the use of defibrillators remain crucial. If cardiac arrest does occur, immediate intervention significantly improves survival rates.

Raising awareness is equally important. Coaches, teammates, and event staff should all know the warning signs of cardiac arrest. They must also understand how to respond quickly and effectively. When combined, screening, training, and awareness create a powerful approach to athlete safety.

A Comprehensive Approach to Athlete Safety

To truly protect athletes, we need a multi-layered strategy. Screening plays a vital role, but it is just one piece of the puzzle. By pairing it with life-saving training and widespread awareness, we can create safer sports environments.

In conclusion, why does cardiac arrest still occur in elite athletes? The answer lies in the limitations of screening. It detects most risks, but not all. That is why training and awareness remain essential. By combining these efforts, we can take meaningful steps toward reducing the risks and improving emergency response.