Recent research from France sheds some more light on cardiac arrest and those who suffer from it.
In studying over 800 instances of sports-related cardiac arrest, it found that most incidents occur in adult men playing recreational sports, particularly otherwise healthy men between the ages of 35 and 65.
Meanwhile, cardiac arrest among younger athletes account for only a fraction of the deaths – only 50 for those between the ages of 10 and 35.
That said, athletes – both young and old – suffer cardiac arrests at a higher rate than the general public.
Ultimately, researchers concluded that – as previously suspected – cardiac arrest cannot be directly prevented, and that athletes should in no way curtail their practice regimens. Rather, the findings served to further underscore the importance of CPR and onsite CPR training.
While this recommendation is not optimal – performing CPR, after all, is a reactive action – it’s the best option available, particularly since both young and older athletes are at risk.
