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.

Kean University Shares ‘Strength in Numbers’ at Mid-Year Convocation

Pledging to “dig deeper, reach higher and recommit” to ensure success for all students, Kean University President Lamont O. Repollet, ...

Dr. Butts Receives Honorary Doctorate from Morehouse

Originally appeared in The Positive Community April 2011 Issue On March 2, 2011 Dr. Calvin O. Butts III, president of ...

New Jersey Legislative Black Caucus Foundation Announces Senator Ron Rice Endowed Scholarship

At a tribute gala, the New Jersey Legislative Black Caucus Foundation, the New Jersey Legislative Black Caucus, and Rutgers University ...

Dr. Calvin 0. Butts Ill President of SUNY at Old Westbury

By Jean Wells He wears many hats. He is a mover and shaker in the church, education, business and community ...

ECC Community Education Forum Alfred Bundy with Jennifer Wager, Kedegia Williams and Michael Isaac

In this episode of Essex County College’s Community Education Forum, host Alfred Bundy speaks with guests Professor Jennifer Wager, student ...

Morehouse College: Makes Men of Consequence

By Fern Gillespie A “Morehouse Man” is a brand. Since its establishment in 1867, the HBCU has garnered a reputation ...

How to Manage and Reduce Inflation-Related Stress

Inflation may continue to show signs of slowing, however businesses nationwide are still grappling with ...

Unfair Unjust – The Devastation Caused by Withdrawn Resources and The Effects on Black Communities

An Open Letter to Nike and Adidas by John E. Harmon Sr., African American Chamber ...

“Boom” Where You’re Planted

Sonja D. Gracy, author, playwright, and NYC public school teacher is currently working on her ...

Big Business Must Stop Taking Big Tobacco Money

By Dr. Phillip Gardiner It’s hard to believe that with the amount of damage that ...

Q&A with JPMorgan Chase’s Jason Patton

In celebration of Black History Month, we sat down with Jason Patton at JPMorgan Chase ...

Forging a Path to Achieve an
Equitable Clean Energy Future

Rudy Wynter,President, National Grid New York Climate change is an existential threat to our planet ...

Ramadan Mubarak

Muslims Commemorate Ramadan By Leslie Nash One of the holiest months of the year for Muslims around the world, Ramadan ...
Read More

Newark Beth Israel Medical Center Named to Newsweek World’s Best Hospitals’ List for the Fifth Consecutive Year

Newark Beth Israel Medical Center (NBIMC) has been named to the 2023 Newsweek list of World’s Best Hospitals. It is ...
Read More

Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Black History Month Celebration

Kudos to the organizers of the 2023 Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce Black History Month celebration! Brooklynites gathered at the Weeksville ...
Read More

The Kings and Queens Singles Holiday Soiree

An exclusive soiree for single kings and queens brought together eligible bachelors and bachelorettes from across the tri-state area for ...
Read More

Mayor Ras J. Baraka Statement on the Passing of Former State Senator Ronald Rice

“All of Newark is saddened to learn of the passing of former State Senator, Deputy Mayor, and Municipal Council Member ...
Read More

Essex County Executive Sworn Into Sixth Term

Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. was sworn into his sixth term as Essex County Executive by NJ State and Essex County ...
Read More

Bits and Pieces

current news + topics Collected by Leslie Nash Mama, I Want To Sing! Returns to Harlem A 40th Anniversary production ...
Read More

Melba Moore at First Zion Hill Baptist Church

On Sunday, January 8, 2023, First Lady Tammy and Pastor Dellroger Dunmore of First Zion Hill Baptist Church in Newark, ...
Read More

Lenox Road Baptist Church Triple Jubilee

On December 23, 1975, a fire totally destroyed Brooklyn’s Lenox Road Baptist Church. The church’s remarkable 150 -year history dates ...
Read More

Newark Beth Israel Medical Center Named to Newsweek World’s Best Hospitals’ List for the Fifth Consecutive Year

Newark Beth Israel Medical Center (NBIMC) has been named to the 2023 Newsweek list of ...

The Great Debate: Cardio vs. Strength Training

We know that exercise is good for the heart. But what is most beneficial for ...

Matters of the Heart

How women can help prevent heart disease at any age. Heart disease is the number ...

Celebrating Extraordinary Women in Medicine and Science

On Saturday, November 12, 2022, The Williams Forum for Diabetic Education and Healthcare (a 501C3) ...

The National Black Church Initiative Launches its Responsible Drinking Campaign in Harlem

Members of the National Black Church Initiative (NBCI) from the New York area joined NBCI ...

RWJUH New Brunswick Hosts Health Equity Symposium

In order to understand and address health disparities in the diverse communities we serve, RWJUH ...