UNAIR NEWS – The Indonesian football community was recently shaken by the sudden passing of legendary player Bejo Sugiantoro. On Tuesday, February 25, 2024, the former Persebaya footballer collapsed and lost consciousness while playing a match. Reports suggest that the Sidoarjo-born athlete succumbed to a heart attack.
The occurrence of athletes suffering fatal cardiac events during physical activity is not uncommon. Despite their high level of physical fitness, they are not immune to the risk of heart attacks. Cardiologist and vascular specialist Dr. Meity Ardiana, Sp.JP(K), FIHA, FICA, FAsCC, shared her insights on this matter.
Understanding heart disease risks
According to Dr. Ardiana, heart-related fatalities can be categorized into two types. The first is a heart attack caused by the narrowing of coronary arteries, while the second is an arrhythmic disorder, such as Brugada syndrome, which results from sudden coronary artery obstruction.
Regarding the case of Bejo Sugiantoro, a former professional athlete, Dr. Ardiana emphasized the importance of identifying risk factors. “We need to assess whether Mr. Sugiantoro had any underlying risk factors,” stated the Faculty of Medicine (FK) lecturer at Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR). Given that Sugiantoro was 47 years old at the time of his passing, he may have been predisposed to conditions that heighten the risk of heart attacks, such as diabetes, hypertension, and smoking.
Dr. Ardiana also highlighted the crucial steps to take in similar situations. “Since we cannot immediately diagnose a patient’s condition, the priority should be to seek urgent medical assistance. The patient must be taken to the emergency room (ER) without delay—time is of the essence,” she advised.
Preventive measures
The first step in prevention is recognizing personal risk factors, as previously outlined. Individuals with diabetes must regulate their sugar intake, while those with hypertension should monitor their blood pressure carefully. “Age and genetic predisposition are beyond our control, but maintaining a healthy lifestyle is essential,” she added.
Regular health screenings are also critical in assessing one’s physical condition, particularly for individuals engaging in high-intensity sports. “This practice is vital not only for professional athletes but for the general public as well,” she concluded.
Author: Afifah Alfina
Editor: Yulia Rohmawati
