Electronic Letters to:
|
|
eLetters: Electronic letters published:
-
![[Read eLetter]](/icons/misc/sectionDOWN.gif)
Could ECG screening for sudden cardiac death result in an increase in mortality later in life?
- Thamindu G Wedatilake (22 April 2008)
|
|
|||
|
Thamindu G Wedatilake, Doctor Core Medical Trainee
Send letter to journal:
thamindu{at}hotmail.com Thamindu G Wedatilake
|
Dear editor I have read with interest the article by Wilson et al (in the March edition of the British journal of Sports Medicine) regarding their support for using an ECG in screening for sudden cardiac death in the young. Furthermore I note that there is considerable support from many sporting governing bodies for the above recommendation. I note the comments of Dr Richard Page (in the Warm up section of the March edition) where he argued that in the USA alone, mass ECG screening of young athletes would exclude 2000 children from sport for every life saved. Dr Page's comments have very much caught my eye. By trying to save one life in an issue that is highly media motivated for the obvious dramatic nature of sudden cardiac death in a young person, we prison a further 2000 children to a potentially life threatening sedentary life style. Hence, ironically we may increase these childrens risk of death from a cardiac cause later in life. Are we really doing whats best for these children or are we dancing to the tune of the media? Have we thought about the long term repercussions that such a screening programme may have on our childrens physical and psychological wellbeing? |
|||
