Be Vigilant, Although Diligent Exercise Can Get This Heart Disease

JAKARTA - The news of the death of the husband of the singer Bunga Citra Lestari (BCL), Ashraf Sinclair, shocked many parties. The man from Malaysia's neighboring country died on Tuesday, February 18 at 04.51 WIB due to a heart attack. Ashraf is known to live a healthy life and be diligent in exercising. Could it be that people who regularly exercise have a heart attack?

Ashraf Sinclair is not the first person known to have lived a healthy life but died of heart problems. in 2001, Indonesian actor Adjie Massaid also had a heart attack after playing football.

Then in 2003, Cameroonian footballer Marc-Vivien Foe suddenly fell unconscious during a Confederations Cup match against Colombia in the 72nd minute. The medical team carried out a rescue attempt to save Foe for 45 minutes, but according to another fate, Foe's life was not saved. It is known that the death of the soccer player who was then 28 years old was caused by Sudden Cardiac Arrest / SCA (Sudden Cardiac Arrest)

SCA is a condition in which the heart suddenly loses function. This is triggered by damage to the electrical system in the heart which causes irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias). Due to its disrupted pumping system, the heart cannot pump blood to the brain, lungs, and other organs. A few seconds later, a person loses consciousness and has no pulse. Death occurs within minutes if the victim does not receive treatment.

In some cases, SCA affects athletes who are known to routinely exercise. Many people then ask, why do you exercise regularly but still experience SCA?

Quoted from Cardiosmart.org, when exercising the heart will work faster and pump harder. Adrenaline is pumped throughout the body and the heart needs more oxygen than usual. Dehydration, fever, or electrolyte changes in the body can also play a role in the development of SCA. SCA conditions can get worse in people who have previous heart defects. This extra pressure sometimes triggers the electrical system in the heart and causes SCA.

Although it looks so sudden and without signs, a study published January 5, 2016 in the Annals of Internal Medicine and cited by Healt Harvard Education, shows that the common signs of SCA are very common and often overlooked. The most common warning signs are chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, dizziness or fainting, nausea, and vomiting.

Launching heart.org, SCA has a difference with a heart attack. A heart attack occurs when an artery becomes blocked, preventing oxygen-rich blood from traveling to the heart. Additionally, a heart attack can be immediate and intense. Symptoms start to appear slowly and last for hours, days, or weeks before a heart attack.

SCA can attack anyone, even those who are diligent in exercising. Therefore, it is better to do prevention with a better and balanced lifestyle, including not smoking, exercising regularly, managing stress well, and regularly checking your health. If you feel there are signs related to heart disease, immediately see a doctor so you can get treatment early.