“Some children that are diagnosed with SVT at birth grow up to play some sports and the parents feel that it is okay because they have not had an attack in recent years. But, with SVT, an attack can come on at any time. Emotional stress and physical activities, as in strenuous athletics in high school, cause SVT attacks. As a doctor, I do not recommend these types of athletic programs.
I may have been only six years old, but with what I experienced with Ryan, it was hard to forget everything that was said and done. Ryan’s doctor, Dr. Andrew Blaufox, was extremely supportive and was always there to answer any questions that my family and I had. One of our main concerns was that with Ryan being a boy, he was going to want to play sports and be “rough and rowdy.” All little boys are mischievous and always into something. Dr. Blaufox gave us his medical opinion that Ryan should not play sports, but he is to stay healthy. His medical opinion for Ryan applies to all victims of SVT. Whether the victim is a child, a teenager, or an adult, it is important for them not to participate in strenuous physical activities. The strenuous physical activities put a strain on the heart and make it go into SVT, which causes an attack and cardiac arrest; cardiac arrest, if not tended to immediately and properly, will lead to death.
Blaufox, Andrew. Personal Interview by Kim Eckersley. 9 Mar 2001. 29 Mar 2011.
No comments:
Post a Comment