A contemporary review of sudden cardiac arrest and death in competitive and recreational athletes

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(24)02086-5/abstract?utm_campaign=morning_rounds&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9q6C7GkVo_f7baWo0bBQCbYNWgtNKyxLyriiCS1Muy-TAmu31A-Nowdwv5dHiwP3ZQq2ShciXwFPQeM6SoEkFofZlzhQ&_hsmi=336669328&utm_content=336669328&utm_source=hs_email Black athletes are five times more likely than white athletes to experience sudden cardiac arrest and sudden cardiac death, according to a study published last week in The Lancet. Researchers reviewed 30 years of research specifically focused on these conditions among athletes. While most research focuses on young competitive athletes, the study authors found that most exercise-related sudden cardiac deaths occur in masters athletes, meaning those who are 35 or older. The authors note that there’s no data suggesting that a race-based screening approach would mitigate the racial disparities. “Such an approach will likely cause more harm than benefit,” the authors wrote. (I wonder if they read STAT’s Embedded Bias series.) The racial disparities occur “without explanation,” they wrote, adding that, among competitive athletes, the influence of social determinants of health are still poorly understood.