Black athletes are almost five times more likely to pass away from cardiac arrest when compared to white athletes, according to a newly published study.
Led by Emory sports cardiologist Jonathan Kim, MD, the study examined national and international data from the past 30 years. In its report, the researchers found that, out of all the electrocardiography screenings analyzed, more false positives were associated with Black athletes.
As a result of the false positives, the athletes were wrongfully diagnosed with heart conditions, leading to increased levels of stress and an inability to follow up with proper care to confirm the diagnosis. Disparities that contributed to the higher rates of sudden cardiac arrest and sudden cardiac death included discrimination in the healthcare setting, economic stability, and proper access to healthcare facilities.
“There needs to be an understanding on how to tackle the underlying social determinants of health that puts these athletes at a greater risk,” said Kim. “We need to look for potential underlying health conditions. We also need to consider all the environmental stressors that young individuals have to deal with and also where they grow up.”
Sudden cardiac death, also known as SCD, is characterized as an unexpected death happening within the span of an hour.
Sudden and unexpected cardiac arrest or death occurs when the heart stops beating or isn't beating properly.
— The Lancet (@TheLancet) November 30, 2024
A new Review highlights the critical need to improve methods of identifying athletes at risk of sudden cardiac arrest and death: https://t.co/edWy0yhrXc pic.twitter.com/0C3XWceqFr
Most of the time, it is caused by an electrical issue within the heart that causes an irregular heartbeat. When the heart’s rhythm is disturbed, the heart no longer pumps blood to the organs, including the brain and the heart, leading to instant death if no treatment is issued.
Previous research studies have raised concerns about the prevalence of the condition in sports, particularly among NCAA Division I men’s basketball teams.
Per the American Heart Association, Black basketball players, as well as white basketball players in the league, are more likely to pass away unexpectedly from SCD, with more than 1 in 2,000 players running the risk of having the condition throughout their four-year college career.
Although the AHA has reported a decline of nearly 29% every five years over the past 20 years, rates of SCD remain high amongst these players, with the latest research published confirming that the disparity gap between the rates of incidence amongst Black and white players is still existent and widening.
“The incidence and causes of sudden cardiac death among young, competitive athletes impact prevention strategies yet remain incompletely understood,” said researcher Bradley J. Petek. “We have the opportunity to greatly improve outcomes through ongoing training and education of CPR, providing better access to defibrillators, and promoting the use and adherence to emergency action plans.”
