Although sudden death is a rare event, more and more cases are heard of athletes whose hearts fail unexpectedly. A study by the US National Collegiate Athletic Association revealed that sudden death is almost three times more common in Africans and Americans than in Caucasian athletes. Now, a new work published in the American Journal of Cardiology reveals that individuals affected by sickle cell anemia , a very common hereditary disease among the population of African origin, have a higher risk of dying abruptly during the intense practice of some sport.
Researchers from the Minneapolis Heart Institute analyzed data from more than 2,000 American athletes who died of sudden death in full competition, revealing that 23 of them had sickle cell anemia. Additionally, these 23 athletes were all African-American. The authors highlight the importance of identifying and diagnosing this disease in order to take adequate precautions , since these professionals are at greater risk of unexpected heart failure while practicing intense physical effort. It is estimated that 8 percent of African Americans living in the United States have sickle cell disease.
What is sickle cell anemia?
It is a hereditary disease that consists of the deformation of red blood cells. These cells are generally disc-shaped and carry oxygen in the blood. However, the red blood cells of those who suffer from this type of anemia are elongated, die before normal blood cells, and do not move well through the small ducts, so they can become clogged. Therefore, when practicing intense physical exercise, during which more oxygen is needed in the body, those affected by sickle cell anemia are more likely to suffer a cardiovascular accident.
