Top-level athletes not safe from deadly heart conditions

In March 1999, during a regional game between No. 1 ranked Bloomington High School South and No. 2 ranked Lawrence North High School, John Stewart took a seat on the bench feeling short of breath. Then his eyes rolled back in his head.\nA few short moments, the standout Indianapolis senior and Kentucky basketball recruit was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead from heart failure.\nThe list goes on to former San Francisco 49er and offensive lineman Thomas Herrion, who recently passed away after a preseason game, and Los Angeles Laker draft pick Ronny Turiaf, whose contract was rescinded based on a heart condition he didn't know about. \nAll world-class athletes. All plagued with a deadly condition. While countless questions still remain as to exactly why these tragedies happen, universities like IU lead the way in taking preventative measures to stop more tragedies from striking again.\nFor the last 25 years, IU has been at the forefront of research in athletic cardiac problems. IU has led by example for both college and professional teams alike by testing to make sure every facility has the right personnel and equipment to respond to cardiac arrest. \nJohn T. Pederson, program director of facility support, understands the importance of having equipment like a defibrillator in facilities, as well as having a staff trained in operating them. A defibrillator shocks an abnormally twitching heart back into a regular beat. When a person goes into cardiac arrest, the use of a defibrillator, supported by CPR, can keep him or her alive until better medical attention is available. \nTwo defibrillators can be found in both the Student Recreational Sports Center and the Health, Physical Education and Recreation building. All recreational sports staff members are trained in operating a defibrillator as well as performing CPR. \nPederson is satisfied with the steps IU has taken in preventing heart-related tragedies in the student body. \n"We have a lot of pride in our facilities." Pederson said. "Not only is each recreation center equipped, every IUPD squad car is equipped, as well."\nFor all student athletes coming to IU to compete in varsity sports, the University has some of the best equipment to make sure they step on the court or field with healthy hearts.\nKip Smith, the head wrestling trainer at IU, is very aware of the risk athletes take. \n"All seven of the sports facilities are equipped with defibrillators," Smith said. "Each trainer is (Automated External Defibrillator) and CPR-certified, as well as Pro Rescuer-certified, which is a step above most."\nSmith stresses the importance of immediate response to an athlete who goes into cardiac arrest. \n"Those first few moments, depending on how the people around respond, are critical to life or death," Smith said.\nAs far as preventing these tragedies, IU has been at the forefront for the last 25 years. Dr. Larry Rink, a team doctor for IU men's basketball as well as Olympic athletes, has been helping IU find at-risk athletes. With Rink's help, IU was the first school to use echocardiograms and electrocardiograms on its athletes. \nThe echo, the more sophisticated of the two, shows a picture of the heart beating, which can help doctors determine if athletes are susceptible to cardiac problems. Indiana athletes have had the benefit of this testing since 1980. \n"IU was the first place both in college and the pros where athletes went through these tests," Rink said. "Kentucky was the first team to follow our lead, then several pro teams." \nRink uses the results of the test to determine if the athlete is at risk. \n"I have had to sit out players because of their echo results," he said.\nTim Garl, director of basketball operations, is especially aware of the risk basketball players face. \n"Basketball players have the highest risk of cardiac problems, and are the only whole team that is tested," Garl said. "Other than that, only a select few who we believe are at risk are tested."\nOutside of echo and electro testing, family history is an easy way to determine if an athlete is at risk. \nSmith said he believes questionnaires concerning family history and a player's personal medical past are just as important as testing. \n"We gain a lot of great information from these questionnaires," Smith said. "They are arguably just as helpful as testing."\nAll incoming athletes are required to fill out a medical questionnaire. Trainers and doctors closely look through the information to determine how great of a risk an athlete has for cardiac problems.