Bronny James, the eldest son of NBA superstar LeBron James, is in a stable condition after suffering a cardiac arrest during a practice with his college basketball team, the James family said on Tuesday.
According to AFP, Bronny, 18, collapsed on court while training with his University of Southern California team-mates on Monday in Los Angeles. “Yesterday while practicing Bronny James suffered a cardiac arrest,” a spokesperson for the James family said in a statement to AFP. “Medical staff was able to treat Bronny and take him to the hospital. He is now in stable condition and no longer in ICU.”
According to the TMZ.com celebrity news website, Bronny was unconscious before being taken to the hospital following the cardiac incident.
There have been numerous recent reports indicating a possible increase in the number of cardiac arrests and heart attacks after the Covid pandemic. However, a concrete clinical explanation to dismiss or confirm this theory is still awaited.
Speaking about cardiac complications (including heart attacks among youngsters) at a recent webinar organised by Happiest Health, Dr CN Manjunath, cardiologist and director, Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, Bengaluru, said that Covid as a condition does indeed facilitate clot formation and if the clot formation occurs in the artery, it could cause a heart attack. If it happens in the brain, it could cause a stroke.
“Covid has definitely contributed a small percentage to the number of heart attacks after pandemic,” Dr Manjunath added.
Possible reasons for sudden cardiac arrest
Undetected congenital heart conditions are often cited as one of the main reasons for cardiac arrests in youngsters. Severe inflammation in the heart — including conditions like pericarditis and myocarditis — could also trigger similar complications.
Another factor that often leads to cardiac complications, especially among those into high-intensity workouts and sports, is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Dr Jay Shah, senior interventional cardiologist, HCG Hospital, Ahmedabad, recently told Happiest Health that hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a genetic condition where cardiac muscles thicken, leading to variations in heart rate. “This puts the individual at a higher risk of developing sudden cardiac arrest,” he added. He pointed out that overexertion could lead to further thickening of heart muscles in such individuals.
Dr Sanjay Bhat, senior consultant, interventional cardiology, Aster CMI Hospital, Bengaluru, said that intense workout sessions also increase the risk of cardiac arrest, arrhythmias and heart attack due to plaque rupture.
Bronny James recovering
LeBron went to the Cedars Sinai Hospital, Los Angeles, to check on his son. Meanwhile, well-wishers and fans flooded social media wishing for Bronny’s speedy recovery.
Los Angeles Lakers legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson was among the ones to offer support. “We are praying and hoping he makes a full and speedy recovery,” Johnson wrote on Twitter.
Bronny would turn 20 in October 2024, the same month that the 2024-25 NBA campaign will start. His father would turn 40 in December 2024.
