Clinical Review

The Three H’s: Head, Heart, and Heat Considerations in Soccer

Publish date: October 5, 2018

M. Terese Whipple, MD

Aaron L. Baggish, MD

Elizabeth M. Pieroth, PsyD

George T. Chiampas, DO

TAKE-HOME POINTS

Current concussion education programs such as “Recognize to Recover” aim to increase self-reporting of concussion symptoms by players, and recognition and appropriate evaluation by medical and coaching staff.
Athletes who develop symptoms suggestive of underlying cardiovascular disease during play, including exertional chest pain, inappropriate shortness of breath, palpitations, and syncope should be withheld from play until they can be evaluated by a qualified medical professional.
Key components of an effective EAP include the training of coaching staff, athletic trainers, and players in basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation, access to and training in the use of automated external defibrillators, and a triage/transport protocol that ensures timely access to advanced cardiac life support.
Exertional heat stroke should always be the presumed cause of altered mentation when no rectal temperature is available because rapid cooling is critical to minimizing lasting effects.
Prevention of exertional heat illness should center around appropriate acclimatization, access to adequate hydration and scheduled hydration breaks, and avoiding exertion all together when conditions are too dangerous.

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