Professional footballers could be ‘at much greater risk of a heart attack’ than previously feared

PROFESSIONAL footballers could be at much greater risk of a heart attack than previously feared, researchers warn.

A seven-year study of 595 players in Norway found six had developed a serious heart problem.

5

But a screening programme had failed to spot any issues.

Dr Hilde Moseby Berge, of the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences in Oslo, said: "The number of severe incidents was remarkably higher than expected in this young population.

"We have no explanation for this - it could simply represent a random effect due to small numbers."

But it follows a British study earlier this year that identified a similar phenomenon among top footballers.

5

5

Premier League clubs already carry out regular testing of their players, but it is far less prevalent in the Football League and below.

The link between footballers and cardiac arrest has come under increasing scrutiny in recent years following the deaths of Marc Vivien Foe, Junior Dian and Danny Wilkinson - as well as the collapse of Fabrice Muamba in 2012.

Corresponding author Dr Berge said: "A comprehensive pre-participation cardiac screening - including ECG and echocardiography - performed by experienced cardiologists did not identify a subset of 6 of 595 players who experienced subsequent cardiovascular incidents.

"Players ignored symptoms and received delayed medical assistance.

5

"It is important to remind athletes that a normal screening exam does not protect against all cardiac disease and that timely reporting of symptoms is essential."

UEFA and FIFA have made the health checks mandatory.

But they do not always pick up problems no matter how comprehensive they are, reports the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

In August a study by St George's, University of London, of more than 11,000 players over a 10-year period from the ages of 16-17 found eight died during exercise.

5

MOST READ IN HEALTH NEWS

warning signs

Seemingly normal aches and pains in your legs could be a sign of serious DVT

MEDICAL MYSTERY

'Happy and outgoing' little girl is battling a condition so rare it has no name - so it may be named after her

SEX CLUES

This is how much sex you SHOULD be having... according to your age

SEX AND CHILL

Stressed-out woman suffering nasty period pains is shocked when doctor tells her to have MORE sex

It found the likelihood of sudden cardiac death in footballers is one in 14,700 annually - at least three times greater than the previous estimate.

Of the 42 players who were identified with heart conditions during screening, 31 were able to return to playing football following either corrective surgery or risk stratification.

• GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL [email protected]