Several notable athletes have recently suffered cardiac events, including Kansas City Chiefs defensive end BJ Thompson, Luton Town captain Tom Lockyer, USC freshman guard Bronny James, Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, USC freshman center Vince Iwuchukwu, and Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen. Heart issues among young athletes have raised concerns in both sports and medical communities. Cardiologists are now evaluating athletes more frequently due to COVID-19-related fears. Studies show that the incidence of heart issues post-COVID-19 remains low.
Cardiologists emphasize that exercise is beneficial for heart health and that athletes are not at higher risk for heart-related issues compared to the general population. The most common heart condition observed in athletes, myocarditis, is usually manageable with proper medical evaluation and care. There are guidelines in place for athletes with cardiac issues to safely return to play, depending on their specific condition. Vaccines are not significantly linked to heart issues, with a much lower risk compared to viral infections like COVID-19.