What is the Cardiac trauma?
Cardiac trauma is an extremely rare but potentially life-threatening condition that can occur in youth basketball, typically as a result of a direct impact to the chest. A sudden blow — such as a ball, elbow, or accidental collision — may lead to serious cardiovascular complications like commotio cordis. Although these events are uncommon, coaches, players, and parents must be aware of the warning signs and know how to act immediately. In this article, we explain what cardiac trauma is, how to detect it early, and how to respond effectively in case of an emergency.
Definition
The trauma heart is an injury to the heart may be the result of a wound penetrating or blunt trauma. Can occur for a variety of causes, from a car accident to a fall from a high altitude. The trauma heart is a serious injury that can put in danger the life of the patient and requires immediate medical attention.
Causes
The trauma heart can occur for a variety of reasons, including:
- Road traffic accidents: a collision of high-speed can cause severe injury in the chest and the heart.
- Falls from a high altitude: The falls from a scaffold, ladder or a building can cause lesions in the chest and the heart.
- Penetrating wounds: The knife wounds or bullet may cause damage to the heart or the blood vessels nearby.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of the trauma heart is performed using a combination of imaging techniques, such as x-rays, echocardiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. The doctor may also perform blood tests to assess the levels of cardiac enzymes and other markers of heart damage.
Treatment
The treatment of traumatic cardiac depends on the severity of the injury. In mild cases, you may be given painkillers and medications to control the blood pressure and heart rate. In more severe cases, surgery may be needed to repair damage to the heart or the blood vessels nearby.
Rehabilitation
After the initial treatment, rehabilitation is important to help the patient to recover completely. Physical therapy can help to restore muscle strength, flexibility, and mobility of the patient. Breathing exercises are also important to help prevent pulmonary complications and to improve the lung capacity.
Back action
The return to action after a trauma cardiac depends on the severity of the injury and the doctor’s recommendation. In general, patients can return to their normal activities after they have recovered completely. However, it is important to note that the strenuous physical activity can increase the risk of heart complications, so that the patient must follow the doctor’s recommendations.
Note: this article is only intended to be informational use. In any case self-diagnose. If you suffer from any medical condition, we recommend that you go to your physical therapy clinic of confidence.
Cedric Arregui Guivarch
National Coach of Basketball (CES 2014)
Bibliography and webgrafía
- Spanish group of Cardiac Rehabilitation and Secondary Prevention (GERC). A guide for the prescription of physical exercise in Trauma to the heart. Hospital Universitario de Salamanca.
- Morales-Blanhir JE, López-Samano V, Vargas-Barrón J. Trauma heart: diagnostic and therapeutic approach. Arch Cardiol Mex. 2012;82(2):152-159.
- Martínez-Sellés M, Gómez-Doblas JJ, Garcia-Rubira JC, et al. Guide of clinical practice in cardiology. Spanish society of Cardiology. Available in: https://www.secardiologia.es/images/GUIAS/GUIA-DE-ACTUACION-CLINICA-EN-CARDIOLOGIA.pdf
- Working group of the Spanish Society of Sports Medicine. Consensus about physical activity in people with cardiovascular disease. Arch Med Sport. 2012;29(5):337-352.
