Sudden cardiac death: What's the risk?

Cases of sudden cardiac death in teenagers can be scary stories to hear on the news. These young adults are typically healthy and have no indication of heart-related problems. In many cases, the athletes received standard sports physicals. Is this something parents with athletic children should be concerned about?

Dr. Ryan Jones, a cardiologist in the Heart Institute at Le Bonheur Children's, says not necessarily. Undergoing an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) prior to playing is not practical for every competitive athlete. The single most important risk factor is a family history of sudden cardiac death.

"Sudden cardiac death is noted more in athletes, but this is more from the fact that these stories make the news. Sudden cardiac death is also seen in drownings and single car accidents; however, it is harder to prove what the causes of these deaths are," Jones said.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, athletes most at risk are African American males. These deaths are extremely rare: 1 in every 400,000 athletes.

With the increased presence of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in schools and in public settings, more young athletes are surviving sudden cardiac death. AEDs are not recommended for use on children less than a 1 year old.

However, there are some signs that a young athlete's heart might need to be checked out. Those signs include:

• Fainting or nearly fainting
• Chest pain while exercising
• Diagnosed heart murmur

Talk to your child's pediatrician if you are concerned about your young athlete.