Page 17 - SOUTH FLORIDA HOSPITAL NEWS AUGUST 2021

Signs of Cardiac Distress and Heat

Stroke in Student Athletes

Every few weeks in the life saving devices ahead of
news there’s another terrify- time.
ing incident of a student ath- In addition, parents can
lete losing consciousness on investigate their own family
the field, leaving parents and history of heart conditions Specializing in Medically
physicians wondering what to know their student ath-
underlying health condition lete’s risk for developing one
they have. These incidents on the field. Consider Complex Patients
can lead to permanent injury whether anyone in the fam-
and even death, but many of ily tree has had an unex- Kindred Hospitals are owned by Kindred
them are preventable. As ath- pected death before age 50, Healthcare, Inc., a national network of Long Term
letes start to take to the field or a history of other heart Acute Care Hospitals (LTACH's).

again this coming school year, BY LEVI NOVERO, MD problems, such as a heart Kindred Hospitals provide specialized, high quality
parents can play an active role attack at a younger age as care for acutely ill patients. For more than a decade,
in injury prevention. well. Talk to multiple gen- we have fine-tuned the art of medically complex care.
erations, including grandparents, aunts,
Symptoms and signs that serve uncles, and other children to identify if Our services range from complex catastrophic
as an alert there is a family history. If so, bring up illnesses that require intensive care, post-surgical medical
Sometimes an athlete’s medical incident these cases with your pediatrician or heart rehabilitation to patients suffering from chronic diseases requiring respiratory and
on the field was the result of an untreated specialist to figure out the safest way for rehabilitative therapies. Kindred Hospitals provide outcome-oriented
heart condition. In certain cases, these your student athlete to proceed through cost effective care for patients with a wide spectrum of
conditions have signs and symptoms their sports career. Non-athletes may also medical conditions.
coaches and parents can watch for (and have difficult-to-spot symptoms if they are
tragically, sometimes not). In particular, not regularly asserting themselves. Admissions to Kindred Hospitals may be
coaches should alert the parents to any of recommended by physicians, acute-care hospitals,
the following symptoms, and parents And don’t forget about the need rehabilitation hospitals, managed care providers, case
should promptly report these symptoms to to hydrate management companies or by the patient’s family.
the pediatrician: In July, a Florida law took effect that In all cases family tours are encouraged.
Chest pain requires public and private schools to have
New-onset fatigue defibrillators, but also cold immersion tubs
Shortness of breath or other means of quickly lowering the Kindred Hospital Kindred Hospital Kindred Hospital Kindred Hospital
Lack of stamina body temperature for any student athlete
Heart palpitations/racing heart going through heat stress. Verify that your Fort Lauderdale Hollywood Coral Gables The Palm Beaches
1516 East Las Olas Blvd. 1859 Van Buren St. 5190 Southwest Eighth St. 5555 West Blue Heron Blvd
Passing out or syncope program has personnel that knows how to Ft. Lauderdale FL 33301 Hollywood, FL 33020 Coral Gables, FL 33134 Riviera Beach, FL 33418
Feeling dizzy recognize the signs and symptoms of heat 954-764-8900, ext. 5136 954-920-9000 305-448-1585 561-904-8451
High blood pressure stress, but also be proactive in ensuring www.khfortlauderdale.com www.khsfhollywood.com www.khcoralgables.com www.khthepalmbeaches.com
Heart murmur your child is staying well-hydrated and
Don’t wait to see how any of these symp- cool enough in the hot summer months.
toms progress, but instead make an Some commons signs of heat stroke,
appointment with the pediatrician and which can be serious, include:
simply say, “I’m concerned about Johnny’s Headache or dizziness
heart, because when he plays, he is short of Excessive sweating and pale skin
breath.” Don’t be shy to ask for a cardiac Fast breathing or pulse
referral. Extreme thirst
Confusion
Preventing tragedies that had no High body temperature
signs or symptoms Take immediate action to hydrate, cool,
The toughest cases are those where there and calm your child and follow up with
were missed or no warning signs. For your pediatrician promptly.
example, heart conditions can manifest Through each of these actions, parents
without warning, and the first major inci- can ensure the best possible outcome med-
dent is the first time parents or the athlete ically for your child to get back on the field
knew there was a problem. This type of safely.
incident is what led to the deployment and
widespread training of school personnel in Dr. Levi Novero is a Pediatric Cardiologist
defibrillators. Know your school and at KIDZ Medical Services in Naples, Florida.
sports programs’ policy and access to these

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Delray: 54 SE Sixth Avenue, Delray Beach, FL 33483 • 800.966.2120 • Fax 888.235.5008
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info@dannagracey.com • www.dannagracey.com
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South Florida Hospital News southfloridahospitalnews.com August 2021 17