Athletes normally grab headlines with their on-field play, but in recent months several athletes have made news of a sobering kind: They’ve suddenly collapsed during a game or practice.
Just over a month ago, Luis Tejada, a professional Panamanian soccer player, died from an apparent heart attack during a recreational match. In early 2023, Damar Hamlin, a safety for the Buffalo Bills, suffered sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) during an NFL game. And on the basketball court last summer, Bronny James, son of legend Lebron James, collapsed during a workout because of a congenital heart defect.
What’s behind these cases and are athletes somehow more susceptible to heart ailments?
In the following Q&A, Wendy Tzou, MD, FACC, FHRS, professor of cardiology and director of cardiac electrophysiology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, explains some of the more common heart conditions young athletes face and discusses the possible warning signs.