Muscles Won’t Save Lives. CPR Will
In a time when cardiac arrests among young athletes are on the rise, the real danger isn’t just the condition—it’s our lack of preparedness
Physical activity is often promoted as the cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle. But in recent years, a disturbing pattern has emerged: A rise in sudden cardiac arrest cases among young, seemingly healthy individuals, especially during workouts or competitive sports. Just recently, a 22-year-old badminton player from Hyderabad collapsed and died mid-game, shocking the fitness and sports community. While these events may seem rare, their consequences are often fatal—not because help wasn’t possible, but because it wasn’t available in time. The real tragedy lies in the missed opportunity to save a life.
Why Aren’t We Prepared?
Most sports academies, gyms, and fitness centers lack emergency medical preparedness. Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are often unavailable, and trainers or bystanders are rarely trained in CPR. In cardiac emergencies, every second counts, and delayed action can lead to irreversible outcomes.
Badminton legend and national coach Pullela Gopichand stresses the importance of preparing not just for performance, but for safety:
“Life-saving skills like CPR should be part of the training for everyone involved in sport. It’s not only trainers—even athletes should be trained to help when someone is affected.”
A Call for Mandatory CPR Training
“Across the world, CPR training is becoming standard for fitness professionals. In countries like the UAE, regulatory bodies such as REPs UAE require CPR certification as part of professional registration. However, India still lacks such enforceable mandates,” says Dr B.V.A. Ranga Reddy, consultant interventional cardiologist, Apollo Hospital.
“CPR is not just a certificate—it’s a public health need. AEDs should be as common as fire extinguishers. Every trainer, gym instructor, school PE teacher, and coach should be CPR-certified before working with clients or students.”
The Next Step: Prevention and Screening
Beyond emergency response, preventive care is crucial. “Heart screenings for young athletes, especially those involved in high-intensity sports, can help identify hidden structural or genetic heart
conditions early. In many cases, the individual may not know they’re at risk until it’s too late,” says Dr Reddy.
Preparedness is Strength
The pursuit of fitness should be empowering, not dangerous. “With the right training, equipment, and awareness, gyms and sports arenas can become safer spaces — places where lives are not just transformed but also protected. Let’s make CPR and AED training mandatory,” sums up Dr Reddy.
ACT in an Emergency: A Simple Guide to Save Lives Mohammed Abrar Pasha, coach and owner of F45, highlights a simple but powerful emergency protocol—A.C.T.:
Assessment
l Tap the person’s shoulder or cheek and ask loudly, “Are you okay?”
l If unresponsive, check for breathing and pulse at the neck, not the wrist.
l If not breathing or unresponsive, assume cardiac arrest.
Call for Help
l Immediately alert emergency services or assign someone directly.
l Make sure everyone around you is aware that CPR is about to begin. This avoids confusion and helps get support quickly (like bringing an AED if available).
T – Treatment
l Start chest compressions: Interlock both hands and push hard and fast at the center of the chest.
l Give 30 compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths (if trained).
l Continue CPR until emergency help arrives or the person shows signs of life.
When the game stopped
Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) in athletes is rare, occurring in an estimated 1 in 40,000 to 1 in 300,000 players annually—but when it strikes, it’s fatal and impossible to ignore. The very nature of sports, played out under stadium lights and broadcast to millions, means these incidents unfold in real time, making them all the more shocking.
High-profile cases that brought global attention:
l Damar Hamlin (NFL) collapsed during a 2023 game and was resuscitated on the field.
l Christian Eriksen (Soccer) suffered cardiac arrest at the 2020 Euros; returned to play with a defibrillator.
l Bronny James (Basketball) survived a congenital heart issue during practice.
l Marc-Vivien Foé, Miklós Fehér, and Antonio Puerta all tragically died mid-game from undiagnosed heart conditions.
l Chuck Hughes (NFL) remains the only player to die on the field (1971) due to coronary artery disease.
l Jay Bouwmeester and Chris Pronger (NHL) both collapsed during play but survived after medical intervention.
In athletes under 35, SCA is often linked to:
l Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
l Commotio cordis (blunt-force trauma to the chest)
l Congenital coronary artery anomalies
l Myocarditis and inherited arrhythmic disorders
For those over 35, the most common cause becomes acquired coronary artery disease. Sports most affected are basketball, football, and soccer — likely due to their physical intensity and widespread participation, which result in the highest number of cases.