Sudden Cardiac Death In Footballers

'Chopper' · 02-13-2008, 04:07 PM

Antonio Puerta [Seville], Phill O'Donnell (Motherwell) and Clive Clarke [Leicester] have all recently succumbed to a sudden cardiac arrest, the former two unfortunately dying and the latter only alive due to good work by Nottingham Forest's medical team.

The Irish FA and their Italian counterparts lead the way in identifying potentially at risk players and the Scots are following suit.

Here's a few e-mails to me on the topic:

Quote:

Many thanks for your e-mail which has been passed to me. The SFA, through its relationship with the University of Glasgow has in fact undertaken cardiac screening for many years and this service continues vis the Sports Medicine Centre. Professor Stewart Hillis, who is the SFA's medical advisor is a leading expert in this area and works with the charitable groups who promote the benefits of screening. In fact Prof Hillis has petitioned the Scottish Parliament on this very subject.
The SFA Medical committee has discussed increasing the scope of screening in conjunction with UEFAs ongoing advice - it is likely that a formal plan will be agreed soon - watch this space.
Many thanks for your interest.
Best wishes
John

Dr John A. MacLean
Medical Director
The National Stadium Sports Medicine Centre
Hampden Park Glasgow G42 9ED

Quote:

You are correct - the Italians have grasped the screening programme and have a more extensive programme than any other country.
I'll keep you up to date as things progress.
John

Dr John A. MacLean
Medical Director
The National Stadium Sports Medicine Centre
Hampden Park Glasgow G42 9ED

Unfortunately, The FA in England are less proactive:

Quote:

re: Sudden Cardiac Death

Thank you for your email of 25th May 2007.

The FA Medical Working Group, as you know, oversee a comprehensive cardiac screening programme aimed at 16 year olds attending professional clubs. There are no plans to introduce a questionnaire for 14+ year olds in our national game at the time of responding to you.

Kind regards
Alan

Alan Hodson | Head of Medical & Exercise Science
The Football Association
Lilleshall National Sports Centre | Newport | Shropshire

So, if you're a pro or likely to become one, you get screened, if not The FA's stance is "tough". How many amateur players out there are at risk? That risk applies equally well at amateur and youth level but they won't even print a medical history questionnaire on the back of a signing form which everyone playing in organised football has to sign.

What if Clive Clarke hadn't been as lucky at Forest, what would the FA be saying then?

'Chopper' · 02-19-2008, 01:43 PM

Quote:

FIFA are set to take action to avoid a repeat of the tragic death of Phil O'Donnell.

Sepp Blatter, president of the sport's governing body, wants all players to have full health checks.

Speaking for the first time about the death of the Motherwell skipper, Blatter said: "Our game suffered a devastating blow with the news Phil O'Donnell had collapsed during a SPL match and tragically died a short while later. Tests revealed heart failure had once again been the cause of death.

"Sadly, other players have suffered the same fate - Benfica's Hungarian international Miklos Feher, Brazil's Serginho and Seville's Antonio Puerta to name but three.

"While such deaths are obviously hard to accept and comprehend, they were perhaps not unavoidable.

"Experts, particularly those employed by FIFA, have often stressed the link between sports and undetected heart defects.

There are many heart problems that often go unnoticed and can lead to increased level of danger when playing sport.

"In purely basic terms, clubs should not only test their players' bones and joints but also subject their bodies to a thorough, exacting examination."

The idea's OK for the big clubs that can afford it but unless FIRA/UEFA/The FA fund it it's unlikely to be adequate. and what about the amateurs or youth players. In Italy ALL players, irrespective of age or playing level must have a screening certificate revalidated every season.

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