Young Athletes and Heart Health

By Matthew Montgomery, DO, MPH, MBA,

Interventional Heart Failure Cardiologist, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, an RWJBarnabas Health facility

What is sudden cardiac arrest?

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), an abrupt loss of heart function in a person who may or may not have previously been diagnosed with heart disease, is a serious medical condition and requires immediate medical attention. SCA can also be caused by an underlying heart disorder, such as abnormal heart rhythms.

An electrical malfunction causes an irregular heartbeat that triggers SCA, also referred to as an arrhythmia. With its pumping action disrupted, the heart cannot pump blood to the brain, lungs, and other body parts. Seconds after SCA, a person loses consciousness and has no pulse. Death occurs within minutes if the victim does not receive treatment.

What are the reasons SCA happens in young athletes and how can it be prevented?

Between 100 and 150 athletes die annually from sudden cardiac arrest, according to the American College of Cardiology. Thought to be the leading cause of death in young athletes, studies show Black male youth are at higher risk of sudden cardiac death than other populations. Disparities in healthcare and a lack of appropriate screenings for underlying heart conditions can cause serious problems for athletes in certain communities, especially young basketball and football players.

One possible cause for SCA in young athletes, commotio cordis, happens when a sudden blunt impact to the chest causes an abnormal heart rhythm in otherwise healthy athletes. Though a rare phenomenon, it has happened when a ball, stick, elbow, or helmet hits the chest wall within a window of about 40 milliseconds. Properly fitting protective equipment can help prevent SCA.

Young athletes must get annual cardiac screenings to help detect any abnormalities. The state of New Jersey and the New Jersey Department of Education require all school athletes to have a full physical by a primary care physician at least once per year including heart screenings. Electrocardiograms (EKGs), not yet a state requirement, can diagnose many conditions other tests cannot.

What to do if a cardiac arrest occurs? What roles do CPR and AEDs play in saving lives?

Someone must immediately administer CPR to keep blood flowing to the brain and other vital organs and use an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) promptly to restore the heart’s normal rhythm. The longer the deprivat ion of blood flow to the brain, the higher the risk of death or neurological damage. CPR certified individuals at all youth sporting events and an easily accessible working AED in the case of an emergency can help save lives. CPR training classes are available across our area. Visit the Red Cross for more information.

Where can my child receive a cardiac screening?

The Matthew J. Morahan III Health Assessment Center (MJM) for Athletes at RWJBarnabas Health helps families take a proactive approach to their child’s cardiac health providing screenings for children aged 6-18. Included is a baseline EKG and resting blood pressure test with a thorough review of medical history and EKG interpretation by a pediatric cardiologist. Experts recommend screenings every two years. MJM is holding a free screening event on March 25 in West Orange. To learn more or request an appointment, visit https://www.rwjbh.org/treatment-care/athlete-screenings/requestan-appointment/ or call 973-322-7913.

Nikole Hannah-Jones Hosts Black Read-In When Schools Wouldn’t

Nikole Hannah-Jones, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and Howard University professor, is hosting a Black read-in event in Waterloo, Iowa, after...

Perfect SAT Score

During his four years at West Orange High School, Sahli Negassi balanced two sports, led two clubs, and excelled in...

DEI Benefits many Groups, not just Black and Brown Communities

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs were created to support communities that have historically faced barriers to equal opportunities in...

Take a Minute. Make a Plan.

Diageo North America; Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD); the National Football League(NFL); and Uber Technologies, Inc. form a unique partnership...

5 Books to Start 2025 off Right

This curated collection of books offers insights and guidance on personal growth, spirituality, and holistic well-being. From James Clear’s actionable...

The Okwelians: Unlocking New Economic Paths for Cameroon

On the agenda: The Okwelians, an idea laboratory focused on empowering youth and the private...

Target Sees a Decline in Stocks

Target, once a favorite shopping destination for groceries, home décor, and essentials, is facing significant...

Financial Considerations for Multigenerational Households

For many families, and in many cultures, multigenerational living is a cherished aspect of home...

Ferlanda Fox Nixon NRBP President and CEO

BY CANDACE WALLER After an extensive search that included contacting hundreds of executives at chambers...

Debt Nearly Buried Them

Decades ago, lawyer John Glover stood in a bank lobby, struggling with financial ruin and...

Harnessing the Power of Community to Heal

By: Sakina Jordan, Behavioral Health/MetroPlusHealth During rush hour at Penn Station, a man was on the ground foaming at the...
Read More

The Hottest AI Models, What they Do, and How to Use Them

AI models are being cranked out at a dizzying pace, by everyone from Big Tech companies like Google to startups...
Read More

Exhibition Brings Story of ancient Egypt’s King Tut to Life

Ancient Egypt’s boy king, Tutankhamun, and his golden tomb have fascinated the world since their discovery by British archaeologist Howard...
Read More

Mickalene Thomas Makes Art

Mickalene Thomas’ artwork places Black women at the forefront, depicting them in moments of leisure—reclining on couches, sometimes nude, and...
Read More

The Center for Black Literature’s National Black Writers Conference Biennial Symposium

The Center for Black Literature’s National Black Writers Conference Biennial Symposium (NBWC2025) proudly returns with a focus on celebrating Black...
Read More

How To Reduce Screen Time On Phone

Did you know that an average person spends around 11 hours looking at a screen? Shockingly, this...

Black and Hispanic Women are Affected more by State Bands on Abortion

A new study analyzing birth data from 2023 found that state abortion bans significantly impacted...

A Guide to Black Women’s Health

In her new book, Melody T. McCloud seeks to change the trajectory of Black women’s...

Frontotemporal Dementia

Frontotemporal degeneration is one of the most common forms of neurodegenerative dementia. It refers to...

Synthetic Hair Marketed to Black Women contains Carcinogens and Lead, Report Finds

A Consumer Reports study found cancer-causing ingredients in 10 synthetic hair products commonly used in...