Five of 789 professional athletes infected with COVID-19 were later found to have suffered inflammatory heart disease in the largest study to date on the cardiac impact of the virus in sports.
In data published Thursday in JAMA Cardiology, doctors affiliated with six U.S.-based leagues followed the 789 infected players last year between May and October.
Before returning to play, the athletes underwent three noninvasive tests that tracked heart rhythms, took an ultrasound of their hearts and measured a protein in their blood that can be a signal of heart damage. Thirty athletes had abnormal test results and were referred for a cardiac MRI. Doctors diagnosed five cases of inflammatory heart disease (0.6% of the total), with three cases identified as myocarditis and two as pericarditis.
Dr. David Engel, a cardiologist at the Columbia University Irving Medical Center and one of the paper’s lead authors, said the results were in line with current assessments that cardiac injury from COVID-19 correlates with the severity of symptoms. The study incorporated infected athletes who were symptomatic and those who were asymptomatic. All five of the cases of cardiac illness included symptoms that “exceeded empirical definitions of mild COVID-19 illness,” according to the paper.
Doctors are still waiting for even larger datasets being compiled by the Big Ten athletic conference and the NCAA. Individual universities have published data from their own screenings with mixed results. An Ohio State University study made headlines in the fall when researchers found that four out of 26 athletes — or 15% — had signs of myocarditis after COVID-19. A later University of Wisconsin study found just two cases out of 145 athletes.
Myocarditis is a rare but known effect of viral infections, including those that cause the common cold, H1N1 influenza or mononucleosis. Left undiagnosed and untreated, it can cause heart damage and sudden cardiac arrest, which can be fatal.
Concern about it and other heart ailments fueled initial debates about playing sports during the pandemic, especially last summer as it related to college football. Engel attributed part of those worries to confusion over how to interpret studies that used cardiac MRIs to identify illness.
The professional sports leagues that contributed data to the JAMA Cardiology paper — the NBA, WNBA, NFL, NHL, Major League Baseball and Major League Soccer — followed a standardized screening procedure recommended by the American College of Cardiology. It included blood tests, an electrocardiogram and a resting echocardiogram, or heart ultrasound. Further tests, and eventually diagnosis, were based on abnormalities from the initial screening.
“There was a lot of controversy about how to interpret these cardiac MRI studies and really what the meaning of these findings were,” Engel said. “This study had a very clinically relevant approach. Patients who tested positive went through the recommended screening from the American College of Cardiology. It was only after there were abnormalities that we went on for further testing. Using this step-wise approach, we found what we considered to be clinically relevant incidents of myocarditis and pericarditis to be quite low.”
Ten of the doctors involved in the study — there are 16 authors listed — disclosed that they had received financial compensation or were employed by one of the leagues or associations involved. Engel is the NBA’s consulting cardiologist.
The five players diagnosed with heart conditions, who were not identified for the purposes of the study, were all subject to three to six months away from their sports and will continue to be tested to determine the longer-term effects of the illness on their physical condition. Moving forward, the American College of Cardiology has recommended eliminating screening for athletes who had asymptomatic or mild cases while maintaining the same screening process for those who had moderate or severe symptoms.
“What was reassuring is that all of the athletes who went through the screening, the 784 of 789, were able to achieve a safe return to play,” Engel said. “This was unknown. Early in the pandemic, when these answers were not known … we were able to demonstrate that going through a rigorous and systematic approach to screening, we were able to achieve a safe return to play.”
In a joint statement, the six leagues said in part: “As with other lessons professional sports have learned about COVID-19, the results of this study are being shared broadly to continue to contribute to the growing body of knowledge about the virus — a commitment we collectively share with each other and our players for the benefit of society beyond sports.”
The study results appear to be good news for athletes who had COVID-19, said co-author Dr. Jonathan Kim, a sports cardiologist at Emory University in Atlanta who also works as a team cardiologist for the Atlanta Falcons.
“All the four major sports are done with 2020, all of them ultimately returned to a season — including those athletes who were included in this registry — and some sports like the NBA now carried over into a new season,” Kim told Kaiser Health News. “Those athletes are obviously still playing and are doing OK.”
The study did not shed light on what might happen over the long term with those players who were diagnosed with heart inflammation. They will continue to be monitored with MRIs to see if the effects fade away with time.
“Only time will tell if, five years from now, we’ll have an epidemic of failed hearts,” said Dr. Robert Bonow, a cardiologist at Northwestern University and editor of JAMA Cardiology who was not affiliated with the study. “But I think that is unlikely.”
Results of the two other forthcoming studies on the possible COVID-cardiac link are expected to be published soon, pending peer review.
ESPN’s Paula Lavigne and Mark Schlabach and Kaiser Health News reporter Markian Hawryluk contributed to this report.
CHICAGO (AP) — United Airlines has struck a deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to offer satellite-based Starlink WiFi service on flights within the next several years.
The airline said Friday the service will be free to passengers.
United said it will begin testing the service early next year and begin offering it on some flights by later in 2025.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
The announcement comes as airlines rush to offer more amenities as a way to stand out when passengers pick a carrier for a trip. United’s goal is to make sitting on a plane pretty much like being on the ground when it comes to browsing the internet, streaming entertainment and playing games.
“Everything you can do on the ground, you’ll soon be able to do on board a United plane at 35,000 feet, just about anywhere in the world,” CEO Scott Kirby said in announcing the deal.
The airline says Starlink will allow passengers to get internet access even over oceans and polar regions where traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals may be weak or missing.
Sony has made it easy for Canadian consumers to preorder the PlayStation 5 Pro in Canada directly from PlayStation’s official website. Here’s how:
Visit the Official Website: Go to direct.playstation.com and navigate to the PS5 Pro section once preorders go live on September 26, 2024.
Create or Log in to Your PlayStation Account: If you don’t have a PlayStation account, you will need to create one. Existing users can simply log in to proceed.
Place Your Preorder: Once logged in, follow the instructions to preorder your PS5 Pro. Ensure you have a valid payment method ready and double-check your shipping information for accuracy.
Preorder Through Major Canadian Retailers
While preordering directly from PlayStation is a popular option, you can also secure your PS5 Pro through trusted Canadian retailers. These retailers are expected to offer preorders on or after September 26:
Best Buy Canada
Walmart Canada
EB Games (GameStop)
Amazon Canada
The Source
Steps to Preorder via Canadian Retailers:
Visit Retailer Websites: Search for “PlayStation 5 Pro” on the website of your preferred retailer starting on September 26.
Create or Log in to Your Account: If you’re shopping online, having an account with the retailer can speed up the preorder process.
Preorder in Store: For those who prefer in-person shopping, check with local stores regarding availability and preorder policies.
3. Sign Up for Notifications
Many retailers and websites offer the option to sign up for notifications when the preorder goes live. If you’re worried about missing out due to high demand, this can be a useful option.
Visit Retailer Sites: Look for a “Notify Me” or “Email Alerts” option and enter your email to stay informed.
Use PlayStation Alerts: Sign up for notifications directly through Sony to be one of the first to know when preorders are available.
4. Prepare for High Demand
Preordering the PS5 Pro is expected to be competitive, with high demand likely to result in quick sellouts, just as with the initial release of the original PS5. To maximize your chances of securing a preorder:
Act Quickly: Be prepared to place your order as soon as preorders open. Timing is key, as stock can run out within minutes.
Double-Check Payment Information: Ensure your credit card or payment method is ready to go. Any delays during the checkout process could result in losing your spot.
Stay Informed: Monitor PlayStation and retailer websites for updates on restocks or additional preorder windows.
Final Thoughts
The PlayStation 5 Pro is set to take gaming to the next level with its enhanced performance, graphics, and new features. Canadian gamers should be ready to act fast when preorders open on September 26, 2024, to secure their console ahead of the holiday season. Whether you choose to preorder through PlayStation’s official website or your preferred retailer, following the steps outlined above will help ensure a smooth and successful preorder experience.
For more details on the PS5 Pro and to preorder, visit direct.playstation.com or stay tuned to updates from major Canadian retailers.
Since the PlayStation 5 (PS5) launched four years ago, PlayStation has continuously evolved to meet the demands of its players. Today, we are excited to announce the next step in this journey: the PlayStation 5 Pro. Designed for the most dedicated players and game creators, the PS5 Pro brings groundbreaking advancements in gaming hardware, raising the bar for what’s possible.
Key Features of the PS5 Pro
The PS5 Pro comes equipped with several key performance enhancements, addressing the requests of gamers for smoother, higher-quality graphics at a consistent 60 frames per second (FPS). The console’s standout features include:
Upgraded GPU: The PS5 Pro’s GPU boasts 67% more Compute Units than the current PS5, combined with 28% faster memory. This allows for up to 45% faster rendering speeds, ensuring a smoother gaming experience.
Advanced Ray Tracing: Ray tracing capabilities have been significantly enhanced, with reflections and refractions of light being processed at double or triple the speed of the current PS5, creating more dynamic visuals.
AI-Driven Upscaling: Introducing PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, an AI-based upscaling technology that adds extraordinary detail to images, resulting in sharper image clarity.
Backward Compatibility & Game Boost: More than 8,500 PS4 games playable on PS5 Pro will benefit from PS5 Pro Game Boost, stabilizing or enhancing performance. PS4 games will also see improved resolution on select titles.
VRR & 8K Support: The PS5 Pro supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and 8K gaming for the ultimate visual experience, while also launching with the latest wireless technology, Wi-Fi 7, in supported regions.
Optimized Games & Patches
Game creators have quickly embraced the new technology that comes with the PS5 Pro. Many games will receive free updates to take full advantage of the console’s new features, labeled as PS5 Pro Enhanced. Some of the highly anticipated titles include:
Alan Wake 2
Assassin’s Creed: Shadows
Demon’s Souls
Dragon’s Dogma 2
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Gran Turismo 7
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Horizon Forbidden West
These updates will allow players to experience their favorite games at a higher fidelity, taking full advantage of the console’s improved graphics and performance.
Design & Compatibility
Maintaining consistency within the PS5 family, the PS5 Pro retains the same height and width as the original PS5 model. Players will also have the option to add an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive or swap console covers when available.
Additionally, the PS5 Pro is fully compatible with all existing PS5 accessories, including the PlayStation VR2, DualSense Edge, Pulse Elite, and Access controller. This ensures seamless integration into your current gaming setup.
Pricing & Availability
The PS5 Pro will be available starting November 7, 2024, at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of:
$699.99 USD
$949.99 CAD
£699.99 GBP
€799.99 EUR
¥119,980 JPY
Each PS5 Pro comes with a 2TB SSD, a DualSense wireless controller, and a copy of Astro’s Playroom pre-installed. Pre-orders begin on September 26, 2024, and the console will be available at participating retailers and directly from PlayStation via direct.playstation.com.
The launch of the PS5 Pro marks a new chapter in PlayStation’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge gaming experiences. Whether players choose the standard PS5 or the PS5 Pro, PlayStation aims to provide the best possible gaming experience for everyone.
Preorder your PS5 Pro and step into the next generation of gaming this holiday season.
