Young footballer dies tragically in Italy during game.

[joekilgobinet]

Livorno midfielder Piermario Morosini has died after suffering a suspected heart attack during the Serie B match at Pescara on Saturday.

http://www1.skysports.com/football/n...dy-stuns-Italy

Terrible, so soon after Muamba almost died playing for Bolton.

[Baron von Biffo]

There seems to be a lot of instances of very fit young men dying suddenly while engaged in athletic pursuits of late. Is this a new phenomenon or was it always there but got no media attention?

[fluffybiscuits]

Shocked that it was in Italy as all players are obliged to undergo a health screening and a heart check is one of these checks. A recent study found that this has cut the number of cases by well over 90% in some cases and continues to save lives. A lot of these cases I think are Sudden Adult Death syndrome.Had a friend whose son died of something similar, he had been out of mates and was in bed and shouted down to his ma for a glass of water, moments later he had died. Something to do with the pacemaker in the heart misfiring signals and this results in heart issues. RIP Piermario...

[morticia]

There's a genetic disorder called Long QT syndrome; it can be fairly asymptomatic until you over exert yourself or get very stressed, then there's "pacemaker malfunction" that can result in cardiac arrest. It can be effectively treated by beta blockers, but you have to be aware you have it and I'm pretty sure some forms at least are recessive, so there is not necessarily any family history, nor are there obvious structural problems with the heart, such as arterial narrowing, hypertropy, muscle wasting etc. Should be spotted on an ECG, though.

Another probable cause of sudden adult death syndrome (SADS) are viruses; one can end up with viral infections of the membrane covering the heart (pericarditis, I think), and in more serious cases, the heart muscle itself (myocarditis). Such infection can often be asymptomatic, or comparable to mild flu, until one over exerts oneself, resulting in chest pain similar to a heart attack. Athletes undergoing serious exercise would be pretty susceptible to that one, those that are "over fit" often compromise their immune systems to maintain peak physical fitness and a low-ish body weight. A match would also probably involve adrenalin overload in addition to the actual exercise. Finally, men's immune systems tend to be less effective than women's which has an upside (lower incidence of autoimmune disorders and possibly allergies) and a downside..men really do tend to get sicker. Probably down to selection for women who could survive childbirth in very unhygienic conditions.

[TotalMayhem]

I read somewhere, a parked squad car blocked the access to the stadium for the ambulance, causing quite a significant delay.

[Yojimbo]

Almost certainly a coincidence that both happened so close to each other. Looking through the reports, it seems there is an average of a death like this every 2 years or so among professional footballers - when you extend the net to amateurs and other sports its far more frequent. There have of course been quite a few GAA deaths over the years.

It is thankfully very rare, but it is gut wrenching to see someone so young and fit die this way. it seems the Italian player was particularly unfortunate - his parents were dead and he had handicapped siblings who he supported. All very sad.

I'm no expert on the topic (interesting comments by morticia), but I understand that while some abnormalities can be identified through screening there are some which are simply impossible to identify, to it is likely to always be a possibility

[morticia]

I understand that while some abnormalities can be identified through screening there are some which are simply impossible to identify, to it is likely to always be a possibility

Absolutely correct, especially when it's down to transient infections. Good reason for Temple St to hang onto all those Guthrie cards, IMO....

[joekilgobinet]

I understand Patrice Muamba and the Bolton squad had heart screening last summer.
Its a scary thing,

[fluffybiscuits]

Almost certainly a coincidence that both happened so close to each other. Looking through the reports, it seems there is an average of a death like this every 2 years or so among professional footballers - when you extend the net to amateurs and other sports its far more frequent. There have of course been quite a few GAA deaths over the years.

It is thankfully very rare, but it is gut wrenching to see someone so young and fit die this way. it seems the Italian player was particularly unfortunate - his parents were dead and he had handicapped siblings who he supported. All very sad.

I'm no expert on the topic (interesting comments by morticia), but I understand that while some abnormalities can be identified through screening there are some which are simply impossible to identify, to it is likely to always be a possibility

Must say moriticas post shed a lot of new light for me on the issue which I didnt know a lot about! Pre screening medicals are now par for the norm certainly in GAA who advocate testing players whom are over 14 and add they should get another test before the age of 25 to ensure that they are at least not at chance of developing anything major (http://www.gaa.ie/medical-and-player...iac-screening/ ). Cool thing is most places now work places and other wise are setting up defibulators so that in the event of someone having a heart issue there is a good chance of them being saved . The circumstances around that young player are just all the more unfortunate now that we learn his family suffered hardship like they did .

[Saoirse go Deo]

I'm thinking I should get a test myself, thinking about this and Muamba is giving me a tight feeling in my chest.

[2wheels]

27 year old Norwegian olympic swimmer Dael Oen died last week, suspected heart attack, big news in Norway as he was a medal hopeful....R.I.P

[fluffybiscuits]

I'm thinking I should get a test myself, thinking about this and Muamba is giving me a tight feeling in my chest.

I joined weight watchers mate after the nurse in work told me I wouldnbt see 40 unless I did something and I am doing something now. I got indigestion a few weeks back and all sorts of thing went through my head!