14 DAY TRIAL // With the popularity of triathlons skyrocketing, researchers have analyzed the cases of sudden deaths during this type of competitions over 33 months. The results, as presented to the American College of Cardiology during its annual meeting, clearly point that the risk of sudden death during triathlons is considerably bigger than with marathons, with the swimming leg being the most dangerous, as WebMD informs.
Study leader Kevin Harris, MD, of the Minneapolis Heart Institute says that, while the risk of sudden death during the swimming competition still remains small, it is not something that should be disregarded altogether. Figures have revealed that, over the 33 months of the study, there were 14 deaths in over 2,000 such events sanctioned by the USA Triathlon, 13 of which occurred during the swimming portion of the competition. Of them, 11 involved men aged 28 to 55, the aforementioned media outlet reports.
Autopsy on six of the victims later revealed that four of them had underlying heart problems, while “the other two victims appeared to have normal hearts and may have died from drowning or from heart rhythm problems induced by cold water,” the publication adds.
While a single cause for why the swimming leg of the competition is the most dangerous has not yet been pinpointed, Dr. Harris stresses that the rate of sudden death of 15 per million participants should not be taken lightly, and all triathletes should all go for a medical check-up before enlisting for the competition.
The dangers of the swimming portion of the race “could have to do with the difficulty of resting or signaling for help in the water. Rescue personnel may have trouble spotting someone in trouble in the waves of swimmers in the lakes, rivers, and oceans where these events are usually held,” Dr. Harris explains for the same medical publication. In this sense, one of the first things that athletes should do is to make sure there is an “adequate number of lifeguards and health care professionals on site,” WebMD underlines.
“We’re not saying, ‘Don’t race.’ Just be prepared.” Dr. Harris goes on, saying that all precautions must be taken before taking part in such a challenging competition. This is why going for a full check-up before enlisting is recommended, to establish whether there is any underlying health condition that might prevent one from taking part in the competition. Training and an appropriate equipment, abstaining from alcohol the night before and making sure to constantly keep hydrated by drinking plenty of water are the other aspects one should bear in mind before taking part in a triathlon, it is further noted.