The Waiting Room
Thursday, 1 December 2011
Playing their Hearts out …
Atrial Fibrillation in young, healthy people.
Though more usually associated with older people, in which it is a common cause of Stroke, Atrial Fibrillation in Young, healthy people has been highlighted in recent years by several cases of Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) in top athletes. Generally, underlying, unsuspected structural or electrical cardiac defects have been found to be present, though, in rare cases, a heavy blow to the chest can be enough to knock even a normal heart out of its steady rhythm and set off a potentially fatal fibrillation. Nowadays, it is common practice for sports clubs, schools, etc. to actually have a Defibrillator on the premises. This is especially important in the case of contact sports where physical tackles are frequent and heavy. The IRFU’s Chief Medical officer, Dr. Conor McCarthy explains; “For the past 4/5 years, the IRFU recommends that all rugby clubs have a Defibrillator on hand and that several members of the club, from all levels – players, coaching staff and management – be instructed in its use as part of their wider First Aid and Life Support Training Programmes”.