As Americans look to keep their fitness resolutions and increase their
physical activity, Dr. Bing Liem, cardiologist and electrophysiologist
at El Camino Hospital in Mountain View, Calif., is hoping to raise
awareness of a critical but rare heart condition: congenital
malformations of the heart or vascular system, which is to blame for the
majority of sudden cardiac deaths in athletes under the age of 40.
“The fact that many athletes
and their parents aren’t cognizant of potential warning signs speaks to
the importance of raising awareness of this condition.”
“It’s always heart-wrenching to hear news of a young athlete, at the
zenith of fitness, dying suddenly on the sports field,” said Dr. Liem,
who estimates that up to one in 500 people have inherited heart disease
that may predispose them to sudden death. “The fact that many athletes
and their parents aren’t cognizant of potential warning signs speaks to
the importance of raising awareness of this condition.”
Raise Awareness, Save a Life
According to Dr. Liem, there are seven top warning signs that indicate a
patient may be at risk for sudden death from cardiac arrest and should
see a doctor for screening:
1. Family history of sudden premature death: Patients with a
family member or relative who died suddenly of cardiac arrest under the
age of 40 have an increased chance of also carrying the defective genes
that cause congenital malformations of the heart.
2. History of heart murmur: Frequent heart murmurs may indicate a
possible heart muscle abnormality or damaged and overworked heart valve.
3. History of fainting or near-fainting: Fainting (syncope) or
nearly fainting (pre-syncope) at any time could be due to the heart’s
impaired ability to pump blood.
4. History of palpitations: The patient experiences noticeable
heartbeats that are fast or irregular.
5. Feeling of discomfort in the chest during exertion: When
active, the patient feels pressure, pain or discomfort in the chest,
indicating a less than healthy heart.
6. Shortness of breath with exertion: The patient is unduly
winded by physical activities, indicating also a less than healthy heart.
7. Light-headedness with or without exertion: The patient feels
dizzy or faint during physical activity, which can be caused by
structural or electrical abnormality in the heart.
Screening Options
If at risk, Dr. Liem recommends a simple screening process to determine
risk. The screening involves discussing family history of cardiac
arrest, having a cardiologist administer a focused cardiac examination
and obtaining an EKG.
“These basic steps can provide a good insight into the young athlete’s
heart condition. If any of these assessments raises concern, further
tests for the heart will be recommended,” said Dr. Liem, who noted that
he is also using newly available genetic tests offered at El Camino
Hospital’s Genomic
Medicine Institute to determine if patients are carriers of the
defective genes that cause congenital malformations of the heart. If
diagnosed, patients can use defibrillators and curtail their athleticism
to manage the disease, according to Dr. Liem.
Cardiac screening tests are not a mandatory requirement in routine
physical exams. In an effort to raise awareness of the condition and
provide a potentially lifesaving service, El Camino Hospital has offered
a series of free cardiac screening tests to young athletes in the
communities of Los Gatos and Mountain View. For more information about
Dr. Liem’s next free screening session, click here
or go to El Camino Hospital’s Heart and Vascular Institute event
page to see a full list of activities throughout the month.
Updated guidelines published for pediatric CPR and emergency cardiovascular care