Sudden death   Occasionally cases of sudden death during sports activity are reported . A number of factors are probably relevant. Studies have shown, for e.g., that the number of sudden deaths increase in cold weather, a cold shower or a cold bath may cause a severe rise of blood pressure which can have disastrous effects on untrained people. Hard physical work in hot weather can result in huge losses of body fluid and thereby increase the risk that the circulation and sweating system will not be able to cope with the stress placed upon them.

Medical factors that should be considered in this connection are chest pains (regardless of type), a previous heart attack, irregular heart beat, disorder of the heart valves, inflammation of cardiac muscle and high blood pressure. All may constitute risk factors as do smoking and consumption of alcohol. A number of cases of sudden death have also been described in connection with doping.

Pains in the chest and abnormal fatigue during sporting activity are serious warning signals. If they appear, the sporting activity should be ceased immediately.

Athletic competitions should never be run in very hot or very cold weather. Competitors should always be given the chance to warm-up effectively in cold weather. Training should be carried out regularly, the distance and intensity of training being increased gradually.

High blood pressure   anyone suffering from high blood pressure (hypertension) should only take part in sport after consultation with a medical doctor. In general, however, some forms of high blood pressure benefit from physical activity.

Physical check-up    If sporting activity is taken up after the age of forty or if physical activity produces symptoms such as abnormal fatigue, obvious breathlessness or irregular heart beat, a doctor should be consulted. Even if irregularities are present, they do not necessarily preclude sensible sporting activities. It is worth noting that even after the most careful examination, a doctor cannot always predict a potential cardiovascular disorder of sudden onset.

Studies have shown that people who do not smoke, drink little alcohol, take food and exercise regularly and are of normal weight, live longer on average than people with less healthy habits. Everyday habits are more important than medical measures when it comes to preventing illness and death.