The death of former NHL player Raymond Sawada at the young age of 38 has shocked and saddened many. Sawada, a second-round pick in the 2004 NHL draft, played for the Dallas Stars in the 2008-09 season before retiring from professional hockey in 2016 to become a firefighter in British Columbia for the City of Burnaby. On Monday, Sawada suddenly suffered a heart attack while playing in a hockey game with the Richmond Cowboys. Sawada leaves behind his wife and two young daughters, whom he coached in hockey.
The death of Sawada adds to a growing list of young athletes who have unexpectedly suffered heart attacks and, in many cases, died. In December, 22-year-old Colombian professional soccer player Andres Balanta died suddenly after suffering a heart attack and collapsing during the team’s first training session after their holiday break.
In January, a healthy young football star on the Air Force football team, Hunter Brown, died suddenly at the age of 21 from a blot clot in his lungs. Also in January, a healthy 20-year-old soccer player named Luke Abrahams died suddenly, leaving his family, friends, and teammates devastated.
In a similar case just a month later, a perfectly healthy 23-year-old soccer player named Michael Palmer died unexpectedly after collapsing during a game. In February, a 21-year-old football player from Jackson State named Kaseem Vauls suffered cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated and placed on a ventilator.
Fortunately, he was able to survive. Just six weeks prior, a 24-year-old NFL player Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest and collapsed on the field during a Monday Night Football game. Miraculously, he was able to make a recovery.
These tragic deaths highlight a concerning trend in young athletes. While the exact cause of Sawada’s heart attack is unknown, there are many potential factors that could contribute to sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes. These include underlying heart conditions, certain medications, high levels of physical exertion, and dehydration. It’s essential that we take a closer look at these factors and take steps to prevent future tragedies.
We believe in individual responsibility and taking action to address problems. In this case, it’s important that young athletes, their coaches, and their parents take steps to reduce the risk of sudden cardiac arrest.
This can include regular heart screenings, avoiding certain medications that may increase the risk of heart problems, and staying properly hydrated during physical activity. Coaches and parents should also be aware of the signs and symptoms of heart problems and take action if they suspect a young athlete may be at risk.
It is with heavy hearts we mourn the passing of former Stars player, Raymond Sawada.
Our love goes out to his family, friends, and all the people he impacted in hockey and as a firefighter in his community. 💚 pic.twitter.com/x2vuOinbJ4
— x – Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) April 12, 2023
In addition to individual responsibility, we believe in the power of community and coming together to support those who have been affected by the tragedy. In the case of Raymond Sawada, a GoFundMe fundraiser has been set up to support his family during this difficult time. The Dallas Stars, Sawada’s former team, have also offered their condolences and support to his friends and family.
WATCH the video below for more details:
We must also recognize that tragedies like these are not limited to young athletes. Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States and affects people of all ages and backgrounds. It’s essential that we continue to support medical research and advancements in treatment for heart disease, as well as promote healthy lifestyle choices that can reduce the risk of heart problems.
Source: Thegatewaypundit, 100 PERCENT FED UP