Pickleball - a sport that combines tennis, badminton and table tennis - is quickly becoming popular in Vietnam thanks to its entertaining, gentle nature and suitability for many ages. However, experts warn that behind the "safe" appearance of this sport is the potential risk of unexpected stroke, especially for people with a history of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure or diabetes.
According to doctors, stroke is a condition in which the blood supply to the brain is interrupted, causing brain cells to lack oxygen and nutrients, leading to cell damage or death. There are two common types of stroke: local anemia stroke - accounting for about 80% and hemorrhagic stroke - accounting for about 20%.
When playing Pickleball, players often have to move quickly, constantly reflect and make strong shots. These activities force the cardiovascular system to work at high intensity, leading to a sudden increase in blood pressure. For people with risk factors such as high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, diabetes or obesity, this sudden effort can cause blood vessels to rupture or form blood clots that cause blockage, thereby leading to stroke.
Not only physical pressure, but psychological factors during competition also contribute to increased risks. During decisive phases, players are often stressed, the heart beats quickly, the body secretes the hormones adrenaline and cortisol - two hormones that can constrict blood vessels, increase blood pressure and heart rate. If the player has weak machlian walls, these changes can easily become a trigger for acute stroke.
Stroke is often sudden, but players can recognize it early if they pay attention to warning signs. Loss of vision or weakness in one side of the face, hand or foot, slurred speech or unclear speech, dizziness, loss of balance, severe headache or blurred vision are typical symptoms. When there is this phenomenon, players need to stop exercising immediately and call for emergency care to receive timely medical support. Every minute that passes, millions of brain cells can die and emergency care in the first 3 hours determines the patient's survival and recovery ability.
To prevent stroke, doctors recommend that players should have regular health check-ups, especially those over 40 years old or with a history of cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure. Before entering the stadium, it is necessary to warm up carefully for 10 to 15 minutes so that the body can adapt to the movement rhythm, avoiding sudden increases in blood pressure. Choosing the right intensity of play is also very important, you should not try to play too much, especially in hot weather conditions or after eating well. Maintain a scientific diet, limit foods high in salt, sugar, saturated fat, increase green vegetables, fresh fruits and drink enough water. Adequate sleep, a relaxed spirit and a relaxed mentality are also factors that help stabilize blood pressure and reduce pressure on the cardiovascular system.
Pickleball is an interesting sport, helping to improve cardiovascular health, improve reflexes and maintain flexibility in middle-aged people. However, players need to clearly understand their physical limitations, especially those with underlying medical conditions. This should not be subjective and considered an easy sport.
