Abstract
Sudden cardiac death (SCD) in athletes, although rare, has severe consequences as it occurs in young, healthy individuals at the peak of physical performance. This article summarizes current evidence on epidemiology, causes, screening strategies, and prevention approaches based on guidelines from the AHA/ACC, ESC, and recent studies. Advances in pre-participation screening and on-site emergency interventions—such as the use of automated external defibrillators (AED) and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)—have enhanced the detection and management of underlying cardiac conditions. However, cardiovascular assessment in athletes remains challenging due to the difficulty in distinguishing physiological adaptations from pathological findings. Looking forward, further longitudinal studies, randomized clinical trials, and the integration of emerging technologies are needed to optimize prevention strategies tailored to specific athlete populations.
Keywords: sudden death, athletes, cardiovascular, screening, prevention.