STORM2K

Heart trouble blamed for most sudden deaths of young athletes

By Mercedes Mayer , StarTelegram Staff Writer

Heart problems are the leading cause of sudden deaths among athletes younger than 25, according to a doctor from the University Interscholastic League's Medical Advisory Committee.

Craig Boatwright, a 17-year-old football player who had planned to play at Texas Christian University, was pronounced dead after he collapsed while running at Everman High School early Thursday morning. The cause of death has not been determined, but school officials said Boatwright was in excellent health.

Alan Stockard, a sports medicine specialist in San Marcos, said hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or an enlarged heart, is a typical cause of death among young athletes.

"It's made worse by physical activity," Stockard said. "It can cause the heart to go into an abnormal heart rhythm.

A well known fact in the medical community

How ironic. I just lost a good friend Thursday night from a heart attack. He called Sharon (daughter) at 2 in the morning and told her he was having chest pains. She called an ambulance and he died on his way to the hospital. Thomas Barrett was only 60 years old and had no symptoms prior to this.

Another person that comes to a heavy heart is poor John Ritter.

I know they were not athletes. Thomas was a mechanic and we all know John was an actor/comedian. It happens to the best of folks of any trade.