EXPOSED: Disease that causes footballers to slump and die on pitch

According to research, some football players have slumped and died on the pitch for so many reasons.

One of the major reasons why some players slump on the pitch while playing football is a result of cardiomyopathy, also called Cardiac Arrest

This medical condition is very dangerous because it kills silently. Cardiomyopathy is a disease that affects the heart muscle. This causes the heart muscle to become very weak, and it won’t pump blood to other parts of the body the way it should.

Cardiomyopathy can come in different types, and they can be caused by different things. It can also lead to heart failure and irregular heartbeat.

Cardiomyopathy can come in different forms and they include the following:

1. Dilated cardiomyopathy

This can occur when the heart is too weak to pump blood properly. The muscles expand, and they become thinner. This can also be called an enlarged heart. You can get it from your parents or as a result of coronary artery disease.

2. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

This disease may be genetic and it happens when your heart walls become thick, and prevents blood from flowing through your heart.

3. Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia

This is the type that causes most athletes to die suddenly. This causes fat and more fibrous tissue to replace muscles, found in the right ventricle. This can cause abnormal heart rhythms.

Most of the players who died while playing football on the pitch were diagnosed with heart failure. According to research, some players who were suspected to have heart-related issues were advised to stop playing, while others were given corrective surgery.

People must note some of the signs of cardiomyopathy. These signs include general weakness, chest pain, heart palpitations and shortness of breath. It is important that you should stop playing when you notice some of these signs to avoid slumping on the pitch

This article was first published on nsmmedia.com.ng in 2022