What Are The Common Causes Of Cardiac Arrest In Athletes? See What Experts Say

Heart attacks in athletes, including cricketers and other sportspeople, are not uncommon. Although they have common risk factors, there are certain factors that are more prevalent in athletes.

Heart attacks in athletes, including cricketers and other sportspeople, are not uncommon. Although they have common risk factors with the general population, there are certain risk factors that are more prevalent in athletes. According to Dr. Ranjan Shetty, who is the HOD & Consultant - Interventional Cardiology, at Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, "One important point is that most people who experience a heart attack or cardiac arrest around the age of 30 are almost always due to a blockage. This blockage could be minor and need not be severe, such as being more than 50% or 70% block. In the case of athletes, if they neglect proper self-care and fail to engage in warm-up or cool-down exercises, the stress they put on their bodies directly with their sport or strenuous activity can lead to the rupture of plaque, which, in turn, can trigger a heart attack."

Factors That Cause Cardiac Arrest In Athletes:

Dr. Ranjan Shetty said, "Smoking is another significant concern for athletes and young individuals. Sometimes, this smoking history may not be revealed which can pose a risk factor for heart attack. Furthermore, when looking at young individuals below the age of 35, who suffer a heart attack, it's likely due to a genetic heart condition known as Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) which is the most common cause of sudden cardiac arrest in young people, especially athletes. However, those over 35 are more prone to have coronary artery disease. Thus, for anyone performing physical activity around the age of 35, caution is important. If they have minor blockages that are left untreated, any form of physical or mental stress can lead to a sudden heart attack."

Lower Frequency Of Cardiac Arrests In Sportswomen:

Dr. A Ravikanth, who is a Senior Cardiologist, at Kamineni Hospitals, LB Nagar, Hyderabad said, "The lower frequency of cardiac arrest during sports activities in women compared to men can be attributed to a combination of factors. Estrogen, the primary female sex hormone, is thought to have protective effects on blood vessels, maintaining healthy blood flow and reducing the risk of atherosclerosis. Women's smaller heart sizes and different heart structures promote efficient blood circulation, lowering the cardiac workload and decreasing the risk of sudden cardiac events."

"Women also have a lower prevalence of coronary artery disease, a common cause of cardiac arrest, reducing the likelihood of plaque buildup in the coronary arteries. Differences in exercise patterns and a lower incidence of cardiovascular risk factors in men contribute to the observed discrepancy. Additionally, women's proactive approach to health, including early detection and prevention through regular check-ups and screenings, further reduces the likelihood of sudden cardiac arrest during physical exertion. Furthermore, psychological factors such as stress and competitive pressures in men's sports may also play a role in the higher incidence of cardiac arrest during sports activities in men," he added.

Prevention tips For Spokespersons:

Talking about the prevention strategy for sportspersons, Dr. Ranjan Shetty  suggested the following:

• Do proper warm-ups, gradually involve yourself in sports, manage stress, and follow a healthy lifestyle.


• Athletes must also prioritise sleep hygiene and maintain the discipline required to be followed thoroughly for their profession.


• The question of skipping dinner or breakfast is always controversial, with studies providing conflicting evidence. However, the key is to practice moderate overall calorie restriction.


• The method of intermittent fasting or periodic detox days may be good for weight management. But, when we talk about cricketers and athletes, they may not need to follow such practices as they already exercise four times more than normal people.


• Thus, their diet needs to be rich in calories with a higher intake of carbohydrates, especially when they constantly burn a substantial amount of energy through their training and sports.

How Good Nutrition Can Enhance Sporting Performance

Aruna Mallya, who is a Senior Dietitian, at KMC Hospital, Mangalore said, "Nutrition needs for Cricketers are different and unique and the focus on nutrients should be pre-match, post-match, and during the match day. The stamina to stand for hours on the pitch for batting, bowl for overs, and fielding requires lots of energy and endurance and this can happen only when the player takes a nutritious balanced meal."

She went on to suggest the following:

• Nutrition plays an important role before and during the match.


• For a player to be fit for the match, the player needs to take an adequate amount of complex carbohydrates, and high biological value protein along with an adequate amount of fluid and maintain the ideal body weight.


• Strength training and continuous practice burn calories faster so he needs to refill with the same amount of carbohydrates.


• The amount of carbohydrates depends upon how much a player can consume at his activity level and for recovery post-match.


• Meals should be consumed 3-4 hours before the match.


• Dehydration is often seen because of continuous practice, the climatic conditions, and the clothing they wear build in a lot of heat and they sweat more.


• So keeping hydrated by sipping sports drinks or electrolyte drinks becomes a must.


• Dehydration affects performance by causing confusion, low concentration levels as well and cramps during the match.


• Replacing the fluid loss helps in maintaining muscle functions. 


• Diet post-match should consist of an increase in intake of complex carbohydrates especially whole grains to refill the muscle glycogen store, good hydration to replace fluid loss, and a good amount of high protein consisting of egg whites, soy protein, low-fat milk, cheese, low-fat meat, dhal, nuts, low-fat yogurt, tofu etc along with fruits and vegetables.


• Low healthy fat can be used as they take a long time to digest and are calorie-dense.


• Sports drinks are rich in calories as well as glucose, hence to be used in moderation.


• A banana, a glass of skim milk, a handful of nuts, or yogurt would be a healthy choice.


• In case of any vitamin or mineral deficiency, supplements may be advised by the treating doctor. 

[Disclaimer: The information provided in the article, including treatment suggestions shared by doctors, is intended for general informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.]