Rachel Apa was running the 26.2-mile course when she collapsed around 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 1. Nearby observers, including two doctors and a social worker, administered CPR before paramedics arrived with a defibrillator, but she died later that evening. Her father confirmed her condition, noting she had been in peak physical shape leading up to the race. The incident highlights the dangers of strenuous exertion, which can cause internal organ failure hours or days after symptoms begin.
Key points
Extreme physical exertion can trigger severe muscle breakdown that leads to kidney failur…: Extreme physical exertion can trigger severe muscle breakdown that leads to kidney failure and dangerous heart rhythm problems.
Athletes should monitor for critical warning signs such as dark tea-colored urine, extrem…: Athletes should monitor for critical warning signs such as dark tea-colored urine, extreme fatigue, and severe muscle cramps.
Anyone experiencing rhabdomyolysis symptoms during or after strenuous activity must stop…: Anyone experiencing rhabdomyolysis symptoms during or after strenuous activity must stop exercising immediately and seek medical attention.
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Rachel Apa was running her first NYC marathon when she collapsed just a few miles from the finish line. The 24 year old former college field hockey player was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital where she died that evening. Her dad Steve Apa told the New York Times she died of rhabdomyolysis, a condition in which damage to muscle tissue causes the release of substances into the blood stream that can be damaging to vital organs.
Her death has raised questions about the rare but serious condition, how intense exercise can trigger it and what warning signs runners should recognise.
He struggled to understand how his daughter could have died at such a young age. “It’s unfathomable,” he said. He also described her as being in “perfect health, perfect shape, 24 years old.”
- Dark urine that resembles tea or cola.
- Unusual weakness or extreme fatigue.
Symptoms can develop during exercise or appear hours or even days later. Anyone experiencing these signs after strenuous activity should stop exercising and seek immediate medical attention.
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