Health

The probable cause of Rodrigo Bentancur's unexpected collapse during the football match

January, 11, 2025-04:40

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The probable cause of Rodrigo Bentancur's unexpected collapse during the football match

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur collapsed face down on the field just five minutes into a match against Liverpool earlier this week. The 27-year-old attempted to make a header but seemed to fall awkwardly, resulting in him lying motionless on the pitch. He has since reassured fans from his hospital bed, sharing a photo with his fiancée Melany La Banca and captioning it with "all is good." The cause of his collapse remains unclear at this time. However, it raises questions about what might lead a seemingly healthy athlete to suddenly fall on the field. Bentancur's incident is part of a troubling trend, as several young footballers have experienced similar collapses during matches.

In August, Juan Izquierdo, 27, tragically passed away due to a viral infection that placed additional strain on his heart, resulting in cardiac arrhythmia. Tom Lockyer, 30, collapsed in February of the previous year due to atrial fibrillation, a condition characterized by an irregular and often rapid heartbeat that can lead to a heart attack. Additionally, Christian Eriksen, 32, suffered a collapse in 2020 due to undiagnosed ventricular fibrillation, another condition that disrupts heart rhythm.

Research indicates that athletes engaged in 'start-stop' or 'stop and go' sports, such as football, which involve intense physical exertion followed by periods of relative rest, are at a heightened risk of experiencing cardiac events. This increased risk is attributed to the repeated sudden demands placed on the heart, which can exacerbate any pre-existing cardiac conditions.

Additionally, instances of athletes collapsing on the field can be linked to a specific injury known as commotio cordis. This condition occurs when the chest experiences a high-velocity impact—typically from a ball in a sporting context—sufficiently severe to disrupt the nerve signals that control the heart's rhythm.
Nevertheless, there are numerous other potential factors that may lead to an athlete's sudden collapse. These factors include overheating and inadequate hydration or nutrition. According to the British Heart Foundation, dehydration results in reduced blood circulation throughout the body, which can lead to low blood pressure, dizziness, and fainting. In response to these conditions, the heart may increase its rate to facilitate blood flow, potentially resulting in heart palpitations.