February 4, 2023, Jennie Johnson, RN-BC, PhD
Living for a Healthy Heart, LLC
Recently the nation was shocked when a healthy elite professional football player collapsed during an NFL game into full cardiac arrest. Thankfully, he is recovering but questions remain regarding the cause.
While congenital abnormalities are certainly a possibility; it’s unlikely. NFL players undergo extensive medical screenings before signing with a team.
Some physicians have described his problem as Commotio Cordis which is a rare condition that usually occurs in young males with growing thinner chest walls who are under 20 years old with an average age of 15. Most commonly, either a small, sharp baseball, lacrosse ball, hockey puck or punch straight to the chest during a vulnerable part of the heart cycle disrupts the rhythm leading to a complete cardia arrest.
Others have wondered whether he had a myocarditis secondary to a vaccine reaction or an aftermath of Long COVID? While COVID vaccines are no longer required by the NFL, 95 % of players have received it. No information was provided regarding his vaccination status. There has been an increase in myocarditis among young men around the world following a COVID vaccine.
Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle which can lead to sudden cardiac arrest and death. Complete rest is indicated while the inflammation subsides. It may occur with minimal symptoms which may explain the increase in sudden deaths that were observed around the world in 2022.
The symptoms of myocarditis are:
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Fever
- Chest pain
- Hard, rapid or irregular heart beats
- Dizziness
- Flu like symptoms
Treatment for mild cases is rest and medications. More severe cases may require lifelong medications, implantable devices or surgery. Competitive sports or severe exertion should be avoided until the inflammation subsides.
Damar is a warning to all of us to take a moment during February Heart Month to examine how well we’re caring for our hearts. The American Heart Association and my book are a tremendous resource for more information, Wake Up Call 911: It’s Time to Reduce your Risk for a Heart Attack and Stroke.
Resources:
Cleveland Clinic, “Commotio Cordis”, January 1, 2023 https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24572-commotio-cordis.
Mike Gavin, Associated Press, “Latest NFL Rules on COVID, Fan Vaccinations Plus Cases”, August 3, 2022. https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/bears/latest-nfl-rules-covid-fan-vaccinations-and-positive-cases.
American Heart Association, “Myocarditis” September 27, 2022, https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/myocarditis.
Health Feedback, “What Can Explain the Excess Mortality in the US and Europe in 2022?” December 6, 2022. https://healthfeedback.org/what-can-explain-the-excess-mortality-in-the-u-s-and-europe-in-2022/
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I’m a Christian nurse who helps people navigate the murky waters of healthcare.
ã All rights reserved 2023,
Jennie E. Johnson, RN-BC, PhD Author of:
Wake Up Call 911: It’s Time to Reduce your Risk for a Heart Attack and Stroke (2015)
Helping the Hurting: Nursing Ministry in the Body of Christ (2022)
Paperback copies of both books for sale at: ask@jenniejohnsonrn.com.
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