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Doctor warns athletes who contract coronavirus may develop rare heart condition

By Mahoning Matters staff
Dr. Curt Daniels of Ohio State University said training athletes who contract coronavirus may develop a rare heart condition requiring them to be sidelined. He spoke during the state's coronavirus update on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020.
Dr. Curt Daniels of Ohio State University said training athletes who contract coronavirus may develop a rare heart condition requiring them to be sidelined. He spoke during the state's coronavirus update on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020.

CEDARVILLE — Dr. Curt Daniels of Ohio State University said training athletes who contract coronavirus may develop a rare heart condition requiring them to be sidelined.

Of the athletes with coronavirus who were examined at OSU, doctors found between 10 and 13 percent had developed mild cases of myocarditis, which is inflammation of heart muscle. Those athletes performed at "various levels of competition," he said during a Thursday briefing on the state's coronavirus response.

"We're not sure of the overall impact of what that means. We're continuing to get more data," Daniels said.

Gov. Mike DeWine, who has yet to rule out 2020-21 high school sports seasons in Ohio amid the COVID-19 pandemic, said evidence of the condition appearing in athletes played into the Big Ten's decision to cancel this year's events.

Daniels said athletes who develop this condition should be encouraged to rest and stay aware of cardiac symptoms such as chest pains, trouble breathing or dizziness. Their return to exercise regimens should be gradual.

In serious cases, myocarditis may lead to cardiac arrest.

This story was originally published August 13, 2020 at 3:03 PM with the headline "Doctor warns athletes who contract coronavirus may develop rare heart condition."