Triggering of Sudden Death from Cardiac Causes by Vigorous Exertion

Physical activity clearly benefits cardiovascular health. 1 – 3 In prospective epidemiologic studies, both vigorous physical activity and moderate activity are consistently associated with a reduced risk of coronary heart disease. 4 – 7 However, it is also recognized that sudden death from cardiac causes seems to occur with an unusually high frequency during or shortly after vigorous exertion. 7 Approximately 6 to 17 percent of all sudden deaths occur in association with exertion, 8 – 11 and there is evidence to suggest that vigorous exertion simultaneously triggers and protects against sudden death. 11 However, the role of vigorous exertion in precipitating or preventing sudden death has not . . .