Myocarditis concerns at the heart of CFB discussion
The report suggests that the incident rate is low, but obviously causing concern for conference officials.
It makes sense that the MAC would cancel the season because they can’t afford the additional cost of these protocols. The P5 conferences can afford it. Stay tuned to see what conference leaders decide to do.
The report suggests that the incident rate is low, but obviously causing concern for conference officials.
He acknowledges that the cases in athletes with COVID-related heart impacts are very small. Among professional, college and youth league athletes, he’s seen no more than a dozen in the US. However, there are likely many more. Some go undetected or have not been brought to his attention. Doctors aren’t exactly sure how common the condition is.
Martinez is recommending a three-level screening for all COVID-19 positives to return to activity: an EKG, an echocardiogram and a troponin blood test, which measures the level of cardiac-specific troponin in the blood to help detect heart injury. Each blood test and EKG can roughly cost about $50, Martinez says. The more intrusive echocardiogram can run as high as $500 per test. “It can be done. You can play football,” he says, “but resources must be utilized.”
It makes sense that the MAC would cancel the season because they can’t afford the additional cost of these protocols. The P5 conferences can afford it. Stay tuned to see what conference leaders decide to do.