Cause of Shay's Death From.... valve and enlarged heart

Stick to Law, buddy

Jim Fixx died of coronary artery disease, all 3 major arteries had severe disease, per the autopsy.

I used to do a little running myself and recently had palpitation episodes with my heart. I have never pushed myself as hard as Ryan though. A doctor said I had irregular heart beats. I had to wear this thingy around my waist for 24 hours and there were wires attached to my chest and a blood pressure thingy around my bicep.

I have also been thinking the same thing as you mentioned. My heart is also "oversized". But, the doctors said it was normal for people who have done extensive aerobic activity. I'm not sure if I had an "oversized" heart when I was 14.

The doctor said that I could still run. B ecause the palpitations had shown no frequency. But he did mention that I had high blood pressure 148/75 and though that these occurances were brough on by stress.

But, I'm beginning to wonder if the tissue in Ryan's heart was "fatigued" from trying to lose weight prior to the race. Because, isn't it true that the body starts eating itself if it thinks it's being deprived of nourishment? That, coupled with arrhythmia might have been the cause. Is this a possibilty or am I way off. i just want to know, because I would really like to start running again for Ryan.

I think that I know answers to your questions, but I am not sure that they are correct. I will defer to others that can supply more reliable answers. You might also want to look at the Track&FieldNews website as there are four or five doctors that are regular posters there. I use the same handle there as here.

Again, I am deeply saddened by your loss (and our collective loss) and wish you the best in dealing with this crisis.

-dg

Case - Its obviously unclear as to the exact etiology of Ryans death but I can tell you with certainty the original poster doesn't know what he is talking about. Certainly more likely potential causes of sudden death in a young, healthy individual are things like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and genetic arrhythmia syndromes. Further autopsy results may be helpful but may also remain inconclusive. Unless a clear etiology is found, I think most cardiologists would recommend that you and the rest of the family be assessed to ensure that you are not at the same risk. This would probably entail ekg's, echos and long term follow up - nothing too invasive. I'm sure this isn't the time that you want to start worrying about your own health but might be worth considering before you start out on. And as a fellow runner who has competed against Ryan in the past, let me add that his death is a huge loss to the running world.

Good post>>I am a 50 plus runner (was a runner) that was diagnosed with a leaky valve and a heart that was functioning at about 60%. Went in for a rountine physical at 50 and the doc did a EKG and almost fell off his chair. I was complaining about my training runs and how I was struggling to hold my usual pace (around 7 minute). I was pretty confident about my overall health (still able to run sub 6 for 5 miles) was okay but I was way off. Bottom line folks is we as runners are not invincable and can have heart issues. Just for the record there was no history of heart related problems in my family and I had what I considered a very healthy lifestyle. Kinda stinks to be thrown a curve ball like this but shit happens in life and I am still trying to deal with things.

Wow! Thanks for your advice. I miss my bro so much. It's so surreal. I just go in and out of deep states of depression. I'm in korea and I have a 7 month old son that will never meet his legendary uncle.

What would be the best way to further examine the condition of my heart. I'm 33 and I think I might still have a few more years of decent running left in me.

I wouldn't spend too much time worrying just yet. Its very probable that you're perfectly healthy. I would suggest you wait for the final autopsy results because they may provide all the information you need. If they are inconclusive or if there is some form of underlying genetic heart problem (either an arrhythmia or excessive enlargement different from the normal athletes heart) then you will need follow up with a cardiologist. If you mention to any american internist that you have a history of sudden death in the family, they will be more than happy to make the referral. I'm not sure how things work in Korea but I'm sure you can get the same basic evaluation there.

law.stud wrote:

Most likely he fell unconscious first because his heart stopped sending blood to the brain with enough oxygen since the arrhythmia would make getting enough oxygen there too difficult.

That's exactly correct. Jim Fixx died because when the problem occurred he sat upright with his back to a tree and wasn't able to recover. Had he lay on the ground he might have recovered. When someone falls down, let them lay there on the ground and recover until they are able and wish to get up on their own. Do not pick them up!

Actually Fixx collapsed to his knees, upright, against an embankment at the side of the road. This meant that his heart and brain had no chance to recover any oxygenated blood in his legs. When you collapse prostate you at least have that benefit, and can remain conscious a little longer.

Lost in the orginal post was the question of why defibrillation could not restart Ryan's heart. I had mentioned in an earlier thread that I have been diagnosed with what is known as a "junctional rhythm"- meaning that my heart beat physically starts in an atypical location of the heart muscle. I don't understand the specifics of it all but it has to do with the natural electronic "pacemaker" of the heart. Anyway, this just makes me wonder why defibrillation would not be successful?

Casey,

I am so sorry for your loss. As you can see, the world grieves with you. I hope you decide to run again. I remember you from Jr. Olympic days and would love to read your name in results again.

I heard a rumor that Ryan Shay's dogs died within the last few weeks. If this is true it seems strange and should be looked into for a possible link - maybe something toxic in the house or water supply. I don't want to spread any false rumors so if I heard incorrectly about the dogs, please ignore my post. Just thought I would mention that it should be looked into if it is true. As a former Big East athlete I raced Ryan many times and am truely sorry to see him pass.

Old timer,

We both have similiar situations, I am 46,my ejection fraction is 60% also with a slight leak in the mitral valve..Normal non exercised healthy adults have ejection fractions of 70%,with exercise they can increase to 80%. I just read this in Daniles last night.

I have a follow up with my cardiologist this month kind of scary.I also have arrythmia at times that last from 3 to 5 seconds.We need to be careful and not push I"m afraid.I only run 12 to 16 miles per week now but ran a 1600 on the track by myself in 5:16 this summer.I don't think I will attempt that anymore.Daniels says long slow runs are best bet for cardiac health.My long run will be 40 minutes tops now.

JEC

Cardiologist has passed on some great info. Several key points:

1. Structural problems with the heart can be discovered by echocardiograms and autopsies. The most likely structural defect that would cause sudden death is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

2. Congenital "arrythmias"---caused by an electrical conduction defect within the heart will NOT be picked up by echo or an autopsy. These often will not be detected on EKG either. The "best" way to diagnose these is to undergo an electrophysiology study performed only by certain EP cardiologists.

3. If the autopsy is not conclusive, most physicians would probably bet that Ryan had a congenital electrical conduction defect.

4. With his attempted weight loss, a possibility is that Ryan had some electrolyte abnormalities that would have made him more susceptible to arrythmias.

Thank you so much for that info.

I am so sorry for your loss. Please wait for the final autopsy results. I ran distance at CU in the mid 80's - and still run as a master. I have an identical twin that has had 5 open-heart surgeries due to leaky aorta valve. The valve has been replaced three times. Other significant problems in the heart have occurred as a result of the valve deteriorating. She also has a pacemaker put in after the 5th surgery. The need of a pacemaker is not the same as the need for a deliberator. A cardiologist can further explain. Her quality of life is significantly reduced from mine. Our family has a history of valve problems. But, I have no heart problems. I have had the same tests as recommended by post. They may help relieve your worries about the health of your heart.

There have been quite a few articles about artificial sweeteners like aspartame and msg causing sudden death syndrome. Did he use any artificial sweeteners?

Is this being checked along with the other things?

everyone should read this on Ryan Shay's death

http://scienceofsport.blogspot.com/

"Shay was told in 2006 that he had "Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome," the main consequence of which appears to be a fall in cortisol production"

Anyone know if he was provided prednisone or other synthetic cortisol for this condition back in 2006 til present? High dose prednisone is such a pain to taper off of and could cause heart attacks if stopped cold turkey and I believe it is also a banned substance although no cheater would take it longterm-wise.