Cardiology in football: What can we do?
Amongst the saddening news surrounding Ugo Ehiogu's death, It seemed appropriate to delve into the increasing amount of heart condition caused deaths within football. Heart conditions are becoming increasingly common in modern football society. It alarms me to see just how many athletes experience a heart abnormalities before, during or after a performance. These cardiac abnormalities can occur in any athlete regardless of age, size, medical background, gender, race or fitness. In recent years we've seen cases such as Fabrice Muamba, Marc Vivien Foe, Antonio Puerta, Milos Feher and Phil O'Donnell highlight just how sudden cardiac problems can occur. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a general term for conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels. Specifically in football, most deaths have come about as a result of cardiovascular disease or a congenital heart problem. Most of which we are unaware about. Cardiovascular disease - smoking, high blood pre...