"Upon occurrence, events transpire swiftly according to a cardiologist, shedding light on potential reasons for the demise of the ex-captain of FC Porto"
In a tragic turn of events, Jorge Costa, the former captain and current football director of FC Porto, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 53. The cause of death was a cardiac arrest that occurred at the club's training and formation center in Gaia.
Minutes after giving an interview, Costa experienced discomfort and collapsed. Despite immediate medical assistance from doctors, nurses, and a defibrillator available at the FC Porto training center, Costa did not survive his cardiac arrest.
Rui Campante Teles, an intervention cardiologist, emphasized that what happened to Jorge Costa is not uncommon, even in people with constant medical follow-up. He stated that cardiac arrests often occur due to incomplete control of modifiable risk factors, chronic systemic disease effects, and medication side effects.
Common factors contributing to cardiac arrests in individuals under constant medical follow-up include uncontrolled hypertension, high LDL cholesterol, obesity, chronic inflammatory conditions like COPD and rheumatoid arthritis, prolonged use of certain medications like NSAIDs, and familial predisposition to premature coronary heart disease. Prevention involves rigorous and continuous management of these risk factors through lifestyle modifications, optimized pharmacotherapy, prompt management of acute cardiac events, and tailored interventions like revascularization or device implantation when indicated.
Teles also pointed out that there is currently no tool to predict when a cardiac arrest will occur. He emphasized the importance of regular cardiovascular risk stratification and follow-up to adjust treatment and detect early signs of acute cardiac events. Prompt management of acute events, including timely coronary interventions and advanced cardiac life support when needed, is crucial in preventing such tragedies.
Costa's heart attack in 2022 could be a factor in the current case. It is common for people to have some complaints in the days leading up to a cardiac arrest, although it is unknown if Costa had symptoms beforehand.
Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are the leading causes of death globally. Worldwide, only about 10% of people survive a cardiac arrest outside a hospital environment. This underscores the need for comprehensive, multidisciplinary approaches focusing on risk factor control, early intervention, and lifestyle management to prevent such tragedies.
The loss of Jorge Costa has left the FC Porto community in mourning. Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family, friends, and the entire FC Porto family during this difficult time.
- Despite Costa's constant medical follow-up, his cardiac arrest was a result of uncontrolled risk factors, such as uncontrolled hypertension, high LDL cholesterol, and obesity, as highlighted by cardiologist Rui Campante Teles.
- Prevention of cardiac arrests in athletes like footballers requires rigorous management of these risk factors, including lifestyle modifications, optimized pharmacotherapy, and prompt management of acute cardiac events.
- The tragic passing of Jorge Costa, a mere three years after a heart attack in 2022, underscores the global importance of focusing on risk factor control, early intervention, and lifestyle management in addressing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
