Best Practice Case Studies-Case 145 Asset 2 Subarachnoid Haemorrhage and Sports

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This study examined the relationship between subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) and sports using a prospectively collected registry from a Lisbon stroke unit covering 1995–2014. Among 738 SAH patients, 424 cases (57.5%) were preceded by physical activity, but only 9 cases (1.2% of all patients) occurred during sports.<br /><br />The sports linked to SAH were running, aerobics, cycling, body balance, dance, surf, and windsurf. Most of these patients were male, but the group was small. They were significantly younger than the other SAH patients (mean age 43.1 vs. 57.0 years). All were admitted within 24 hours of the sporting activity. Only one case involved neck trauma, suggesting that trauma was uncommon. In three patients, an aneurysm was identified.<br /><br />Compared with the remaining SAH patients, the sports-related cases did not show significant differences in most vascular risk factors or outcomes, but they appeared to present more mildly: all had Hunt and Hess grades 1 or 2 at admission, and none died. Disability rates at discharge were similar between groups.<br /><br />The authors conclude that SAH triggered by sports is uncommon and usually not related to trauma. When it does occur, it tends to affect younger people and may present with less severe symptoms. They suggest that clinicians should remain aware that SAH can happen during a wide range of sports, not only high-impact or high-strain activities.

Meta Tag

Edition 4th Edition

Related Case 4th Edition, Case 145

Topic Neurology

Keywords

4th Edition

subarachnoid haemorrhage

SAH

sports-related hemorrhage

physical activity

running

cycling

aerobics

windsurfing

aneurysm

Lisbon stroke registry

4th Edition, Case 145

Neurology