- Research
- Scientific Innovation
- Centers of Distinction
- Current Studies
- Researchers
- Publications
- Research News and Stories
- Brainerd Lakes Clinic
- International Cardiac Outreach, Research and Education (ICORE)
- Running with a mission
- Safer CT Scans
- Sickle Cell Trait and Sudden Death in Young Athletes
- Stem Cell Promise for Angina
- Sudden death in triathlons
- TRANSLATE-ACS Team Recognized
- MHIF Researchers Awarded $2 Million Grant
- Education
- Community Outreach
- News and Events
- About Us
- Donate Now
Sudden death in triathlons
November 1, 2011
Research published last year by Dr. Kevin Harris, Tammy Haas, Jason Henry, Eric Rohman, and Dr. Barry J. Maron of the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation has received a great deal of attention in recent months due to the unfortunate deaths of five triathletes during recent races in New York City, Washington, D.C. and Louisville, KY.
The study, “Sudden Death During the Triathlon,” published in JAMA: The Journal of Americian Medical Association, analyzed 959,214 triathlon participants between January 2006 and September 2008. In total, fourteen of the participants died while participating in triathlons, thirteen of which were during the swimming component.
Since the New York Triathlon, Dr. Harris has been contacted for expert comment by various national media outlets: The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Associated Press, Scientific American, Chicago Tribune, La Presse and Outside Magazine.
Harris noted that the swim portion is often the most dangerous part of the course which may in part be due to large groups of swimmers with potential bodily contact, in cold, turbulent water, making it difficult for swimmers to rest or signal for help. This environment may be difficult to replicate while training. In addition, there is inherent difficulty in recognizing and resuscitating athletes in trouble.
