Risk of Sudden Cardiac Death During Downhill Skiing and Mountain Hiking

2009 ◽  
pp. 30-30-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Burtscher ◽  
MA Mittleman ◽  
W Nachbauer ◽  
M Philadelphy ◽  
R Likar
Keyword(s):  
Sudden Cardiac Death ◽  
Cardiac Death ◽  
Downhill Skiing

scholarly journals Sudden Cardiac Death Risk in Downhill Skiers and Mountain Hikers and Specific Prevention Strategies

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1621
Author(s):  
Josef Niebauer ◽  
Martin Burtscher
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Sudden Cardiac Death ◽  
High Intensity ◽  
Cardiac Death ◽  
High Intensity Exercise ◽  
Systemic Hypertension ◽  
Physical Strain ◽  
Mountainous Regions ◽  
Downhill Skiing

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) still represents an unanticipated and catastrophic event eliciting from cardiac causes. SCD is the leading cause of non-traumatic deaths during downhill skiing and mountain hiking, related to the fact that these sports are very popular among elderly people. Annually, more than 40 million downhill skiers and mountain hikers/climbers visit mountainous regions of the Alps, including an increasing number of individuals with pre-existing chronic diseases. Data sets from two previously published case-control studies have been used to draw comparisons between the SCD risk of skiers and hikers. Data of interest included demographic variables, cardiovascular risk factors, medical history, physical activity, and additional symptoms and circumstances of sudden death for cases. To establish a potential connection between the SCD risk and sport-specific physical strain, data on cardiorespiratory responses to downhill skiing and mountain hiking, assessed in middle-aged men and women, have been included. It was demonstrated that previous myocardial infarction (MI) (odds ratio; 95% CI: 92.8; 22.8–379.1; p < 0.001) and systemic hypertension (9.0; 4.0–20.6; p < 0.001) were predominant risk factors for SCD in skiers, but previous MI (10.9; 3.8–30.9; p < 0.001) and metabolic disorders like hypercholesterolemia (3.4; 2.2–5.2; p < 0.001) and diabetes (7.4; 1.6–34.3; p < 0.001) in hikers. More weekly high-intensity exercise was protective in skiers (0.17; 0.04–0.74; p = 0.02), while larger amounts of mountain sports activities per year were protective in hikers (0.23; 0.1–0.4; <0.001). In conclusion, previous MI history represents the most important risk factor for SCD in recreational skiers and hikers as well, and adaptation to high-intensity exercise is especially important to prevent SCD in skiers. Moreover, the presented differences in risk factor patterns for SCDs and discussed requirements for physical fitness in skiers and hikers will help physicians to provide specifically targeted advice.

Sudden cardiac death during mountain sports activities

2020 ◽  
Vol 71 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 286-292
Author(s):  
M Burtscher ◽  
D Niederseer
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Sudden Cardiac Death ◽  
Cardiac Death ◽  
Physical Exertion ◽  
Pharmacological Therapy ◽  
Downhill Skiing ◽  
Cross Country Skiing ◽  
Artery Disease ◽  
Sports Activities

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is an unanticipated and dramatic event resulting from cardiac causes. First reports on SCDs during mountain sports activities date back to the 1970s and 1980s of the last century. Relatively large datasets have been collected in Austria from 1985 onwards initiating systematic recordings and analyses of risk factors and triggers of SCDs during mountain sports activities. The results presented in this publication are derived from a literature search on reported SCDs that occurred during selected mountaineering activities with particular regard to study findings based on data collected in Austria. We found a relatively low SCD risk during mountaineering activities, amounting to about 1 SCD per 1 million activity days when hiking, trekking or ski touring, which is even lower during downhill skiing but higher in competitive cross-country skiing. The risk is much higher in men than in women and increases sharply above the age of 34. Main risk factors include prior myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease, arterial hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia and diabetes mellitus type 2, but regular and sport-specific activities turned out to be important protective factors. Unaccustomed physical exertion, in particular on the first days in the mountains (altitude), prolonged activities without rest and insufficient energy and fluid intake represent important SCD triggers. Besides considering these potential triggers during mountaineering activities, sports medical examination, appropriate pharmacological therapy of risk factors and physical preparation represent preventive key elements. Key Words: Exercise, Mountains, Cardiovascular, Risk, Triggers, Prevention

Sudden Cardiac Death during Mountain Hiking and Downhill Skiing

1993 ◽  
Vol 329 (23) ◽  
pp. 1738-1739 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Burtscher ◽  
M. Philadelphy ◽  
R. Likar
Keyword(s):  
Sudden Cardiac Death ◽  
Cardiac Death ◽  
Downhill Skiing

Sudden Cardiac Death During Downhill Skiing

2001 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 286
Author(s):  
Lawrence E. Hart ◽  
Ilkka Vuori
Keyword(s):  
Sudden Cardiac Death ◽  
Cardiac Death ◽  
Downhill Skiing
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