Sudden cardiac death in healthy athletes could be prevented - MSNewsNow.com - Jackson, MS

Sudden cardiac death in healthy athletes could be prevented

Posted: Updated:
JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -

Stanford University researchers say they've found the cause of a heart condition that's killed many young, healthy athletes.

It's called Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and while scientists have known it's caused by a genetic mutation they weren't sure how the heart muscle failed.

When they harvested stem cells from patients with the mutation, the cells began to display abnormal rhythms and elevated calcium levels suggesting a problem with calcium processing.

Researchers say medications can help restore normal calcium processing and that earlier treatment in those at risk for the condition may be better than waiting for symptoms to begin.

-Study led by researchers at Stanford University and published in 'Cell Stem Cell'

Copyright 2012 MSNewsNow. All rights reserved.