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Sudden Cardiac Death Risk in Downhill Skiers and Mountain Hikers and Specific Prevention Strategies

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  • Josef Niebauer

    (University Institute of Sports Medicine, Prevention and Rehabilitation, Paracelsus Medical University, Lindhofstraße 20, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
    Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Digital Health and Prevention, Lindhofstraße 22, 5020 Salzburg, Austria)

  • Martin Burtscher

    (Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria)

Abstract

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) still represents an unanticipated and catastrophic event eliciting from cardiac causes. SCD is the leading cause of non-traumatic deaths during downhill skiing and mountain hiking, related to the fact that these sports are very popular among elderly people. Annually, more than 40 million downhill skiers and mountain hikers/climbers visit mountainous regions of the Alps, including an increasing number of individuals with pre-existing chronic diseases. Data sets from two previously published case-control studies have been used to draw comparisons between the SCD risk of skiers and hikers. Data of interest included demographic variables, cardiovascular risk factors, medical history, physical activity, and additional symptoms and circumstances of sudden death for cases. To establish a potential connection between the SCD risk and sport-specific physical strain, data on cardiorespiratory responses to downhill skiing and mountain hiking, assessed in middle-aged men and women, have been included. It was demonstrated that previous myocardial infarction (MI) (odds ratio; 95% CI: 92.8; 22.8–379.1; p < 0.001) and systemic hypertension (9.0; 4.0–20.6; p < 0.001) were predominant risk factors for SCD in skiers, but previous MI (10.9; 3.8–30.9; p < 0.001) and metabolic disorders like hypercholesterolemia (3.4; 2.2–5.2; p < 0.001) and diabetes (7.4; 1.6–34.3; p < 0.001) in hikers. More weekly high-intensity exercise was protective in skiers (0.17; 0.04–0.74; p = 0.02), while larger amounts of mountain sports activities per year were protective in hikers (0.23; 0.1–0.4; <0.001). In conclusion, previous MI history represents the most important risk factor for SCD in recreational skiers and hikers as well, and adaptation to high-intensity exercise is especially important to prevent SCD in skiers. Moreover, the presented differences in risk factor patterns for SCDs and discussed requirements for physical fitness in skiers and hikers will help physicians to provide specifically targeted advice.

Suggested Citation

  • Josef Niebauer & Martin Burtscher, 2021. "Sudden Cardiac Death Risk in Downhill Skiers and Mountain Hikers and Specific Prevention Strategies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-7, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:4:p:1621-:d:495823
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Martin Niedermeier & Hannes Gatterer & Elena Pocecco & Anika Frühauf & Martin Faulhaber & Verena Menz & Johannes Burtscher & Markus Posch & Gerhard Ruedl & Martin Burtscher, 2019. "Mortality in Different Mountain Sports Activities Primarily Practiced in the Winter Season—A Narrative Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Hannes Gatterer & Martin Niedermeier & Elena Pocecco & Anika Frühauf & Martin Faulhaber & Verena Menz & Johannes Burtscher & Markus Posch & Gerhard Ruedl & Martin Burtscher, 2019. "Mortality in Different Mountain Sports Activities Primarily Practiced in the Summer Season—A Narrative Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-13, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Arnulf Josef Hartl & Johanna Freidl & Daniela Huber, 2023. "Effects of Alpine Natural Health Resources on Human Health and Wellbeing," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(12), pages 1-3, June.
    2. Martin Burtscher & Urs Hefti & Gerhard Ruedl & Jacqueline Pichler Hefti, 2022. "Editorial on the Research Topic the 2nd Edition of Mountain Sports Activities: Injuries and Prevention," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-3, August.
    3. Markus Posch & Johannes Burtscher & Gerhard Ruedl & Elena Pocecco & Martin Burtscher, 2022. "Unchanged Fatality Rate on Austrian Ski Slopes during the COVID-19 Lockdown," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-7, June.

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