Doctors issue warning over popular gym trend as female athlete, 24, suddenly drops dead
A young woman mysteriously died while she was competing in a CrossFit competition in Mexico.
Nayeli Clemente, 24, was competing in the Cholula Games, a CrossFit licensed event in San Andrés Cholula in south-eastern Mexico on May 2 that was held in 96 degrees Fahrenheit heat.
But during the first 'Team Pyramid Run' - which involves running varying distances at a high speed with intervals of rest to recover - Clemente began to find it hard to breathe and fainted.
The fitness enthusiast began showing signs of low oxygen levels in her body and had to given emergency CPR by a doctor in the crowd, who was later identified as Dr Daniela Castruita.
According to local news, the expert was able to stabilize Clemente briefly before emergency responders arrived. However, despite being rushed to a hospital and then a private clinic for treatment, the physical therapist passed away.
Officials later clarified that she had reportedly suffered a sudden cardiac arrest- a sudden condition that can cause loss of both breathing and heart function.
During a cardiac arrest, the heart stops pumping blood and within minutes, several crucial organs begin to lose oxygen and are at risk of death.
While officials are yet to clarify what caused a cardiac arrest, it can be assumed she died due to performing intense exercises in high temperatures.
Being in excessive heat can increase your risks of a cardiac arrest.
Heat-caused stress to the body can force the cardiovascular system, particularly the heart to work harder to pump blood to the surface of the skin for cooling.
This can lead to to dehydration and electrolyte loss, which can disrupt heart function and raise the risk of death.
Dr Hugh Shoff with UofL Health Emergency Medicine told WDRB: 'If your body is not able to cool itself down, what ends up happening is your organs can't function as well.
'So you start evaporating a lot of water out of your system, then you become dehydrated to where your body can't pump as much fluid and that ends up injuring the organs.'
According to a 2010 study, 95F or 35 Celsius is considered the upper limit for human survival, beyond which the body cannot effectively cool itself through sweating and becomes susceptible to a cardiac arrest.
Over 350,000 Americans experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital every year. It typically affects adults, but it can happen in children, too.
Pyramid runs are known to push runners to their limits in terms of endurance and speed due to their structured pattern of running and resting.
However, this exercise can be demanding on the cardiovascular system and muscles - leading to fatigue, excessive sweating as well as damage to your organs.
According to Dr Emil Hodzovic, a Pittsburgh-based doctor and health coach, fitness enthusiasts, whether new or seasoned should not perform intense exercises such as Crossfit during a heatwave.
He said: 'If you experience lightheadedness, hot or red skin, blurry vision, extreme fatigue, weakness, an excessive heart rate or vomiting, then rest in the shade and rehydrate.
'If symptoms persist consult a medical professional. This is not the time for #nopainnogain.'
Additionally, if you are exercising during intense heat, Dr Hodzovic recommends consuming an electrolyte drink before and after your session to make up for lost fluids.
'Hydrate above and beyond what you expect you'll need. Sweat needs to be replaced and you'll lose litres an hour, far more than you can absorb by drinking,' he added.
According to the local press, spectators have claimed that the medical team at the event was slow to respond to Clemente's condition.
Paramedics were allegedly encountered issues when deploying a stretcher and an oxygenation device reportedly was not connected when it was needed.
Some witnesses have also claimed that there were not enough paramedics on site to cover the event - which has led to backlash against organizers of the event.
However, they soon assured people in a statement that they maintained close contact with the family of the young woman.
They said: 'During the main event of the Cholula Games, an athlete developed a medical complication.
'She was treated by the event's medical team and transported alive to a private hospital, where she sadly died the following day.
'The Cholula Games has been in constant communication with the athlete's family since the incident.
'We remain in contact with them to provide them with all the support they need during this difficult time.'
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