Ever think that a
triathlete seems invincible? They can swim, they can ride, they can run….
triathlete seems invincible? They can swim, they can ride, they can run….
Well – think again. It turns out that the
risk of sudden death during a triathlon is higher than the risk of sudden death
in the general population.
risk of sudden death during a triathlon is higher than the risk of sudden death
in the general population.
A recent study is the
first to collect data on sudden deaths during triathlons. (Triathlons consist of a swim, followed by cycling, followed by a run.) The study reviewed
race related deaths during 30 years of triathlons in USA, with data from over 9
million participants. They identified 135 deaths, for a risk of death of 1.74
per 100,000 participants.
first to collect data on sudden deaths during triathlons. (Triathlons consist of a swim, followed by cycling, followed by a run.) The study reviewed
race related deaths during 30 years of triathlons in USA, with data from over 9
million participants. They identified 135 deaths, for a risk of death of 1.74
per 100,000 participants.
Perhaps surprisingly, most of
the sudden deaths and cardiac arrests (90) occurred during the swim (which starts the race), with 7 during cycling, 15 during the run, and 8 during the post race
recovery. Men age 60 and older were at
the highest risk of death at 18.6 per 100,000. There were also 15 trauma related deaths during cycling.
the sudden deaths and cardiac arrests (90) occurred during the swim (which starts the race), with 7 during cycling, 15 during the run, and 8 during the post race
recovery. Men age 60 and older were at
the highest risk of death at 18.6 per 100,000. There were also 15 trauma related deaths during cycling.
Of the 135 deaths, 61
autopsies were performed. At least 18 of these deaths were due to
narrowing of the arteries of the heart.
autopsies were performed. At least 18 of these deaths were due to
narrowing of the arteries of the heart.
Why do so many of
these sudden deaths occur during the swim, which is at the start of the race? This may be due to the adrenaline rush at the
start of the race increasing the risk of heart arrhythmias, crashes in the
water, and/or difficulty in identifying events and initiating rescue,
defibrillation and CPR in the water. This contrasts
with data in marathoners (a race of running only), which suggests that sudden deaths in marathons most commonly
occur at the end of the race. Cardiovascular disease accounts for the the majority of marathon-related cardiac arrests.
these sudden deaths occur during the swim, which is at the start of the race? This may be due to the adrenaline rush at the
start of the race increasing the risk of heart arrhythmias, crashes in the
water, and/or difficulty in identifying events and initiating rescue,
defibrillation and CPR in the water. This contrasts
with data in marathoners (a race of running only), which suggests that sudden deaths in marathons most commonly
occur at the end of the race. Cardiovascular disease accounts for the the majority of marathon-related cardiac arrests.
Bottom Lines:
1. Screening for cardiovascular
disease when appropriate is important, and triathletes are no exception.
2. Organization of races to reduce risk is
important: eliminating mass swim starts, and having coordinated safety
responses to identify and help people in trouble are key.
1. Screening for cardiovascular
disease when appropriate is important, and triathletes are no exception.
2. Organization of races to reduce risk is
important: eliminating mass swim starts, and having coordinated safety
responses to identify and help people in trouble are key.
PS – Regular readers – never fear ! I still have several chapter reviews of the Diabetes Canada 2018 Guidelines coming up over the next several weeks. Stay tuned!
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www.drsue.ca © 2018
