Derrick Tarver....b-ball player with HCM

[adamp]

Hello,

Just wanted to let you all know about a basketball player at the University of Akron named Derrick Tarver. Why is Derrick Tarver relevant to this board? Well...he has HCM and is currently one of the top college players in America. A few years ago Derrick's twin brother, Darren, almost died on the court as a result of HCM. Derrick was then checked out and it was found that he, too, has HCM. Derrick has since had a defibrillator implanted and he has been fine ever since. He finished this season as one of the leading scorers in the entire country and has a chance to make the NBA next year if teams are willing to draft a player with HCM, although I doubt they will do so after what has happened to so many b-ball players with HCM in the past. Anyhow, I will include some links about him at the end of this message.

Adam

http://www.allsports.com/network/con...45&story=34727
http://gozips.ocsn.com/sports/m-bask...derrick00.html
http://pub94.ezboard.com/fbigapplesp...icID=130.topic

[mtlieb]

Re: Derrick Tarver....b-ball player with HCM

Adam,

Thanks for posting that... it's great to read about someone with HCM who continues to lead an active (and successful) lifestyle. I'm a little jealous actually. I only hope that I can get my own HCM under control enough to lead such an active life as Derrick seems to enjoy. I'm not much of a basketball player though (always the last to be picked for the teams during gym class). But ya know what i mean

Jim

[bryan]

Re: Derrick Tarver....b-ball player with HCM

There is Currently a player in the NBA who has HCM. His name is Monty Williams. He is on the Orlando Magic, averaging 13 minutes a game.

[bryan]

Re: Derrick Tarver....b-ball player with HCM

Just found out he was actually waived. But hes played in the NBA for 8+ years

[Lisa Salberg]

Re: Derrick Tarver....b-ball player with HCM

Even though these people are participating in competitive athletics it does not mean that they have received an endorsement from their HCM specialist for this participation. There are extreme risks one undergoes when participating in a sport that has great physical contact when having a device implanted in your chest and leads attached to your heart.

Food for thought

Lisa

[Cynaburst]

Re: Derrick Tarver....b-ball player with HCM

In response to this thread and the other about running, what are the risks for a person with HCM who is involved in a non-contact sport (such as running, jogging, biking, swimming, etc.) and who has an ICD? Other than the fact that the person might fall down if their ICD fired (which you could also do while walking), or other than the risk of drowning so you should not swim alone, it seems to me that these activities would be ok. Lisa and others?? Any thoughts?

[Burton Borrok]

Re: Derrick Tarver....b-ball player with HCM

Cynaburst,
A person has to live - - and to do that a person has to not die. Each of us has our own threshold that marks the division between healthy exercise, and shooting craps with fate. An ICD is a marvelous safety net for when we start to get into trouble, but it is not a cure-all that will allow us to do everything we want, whenever we want to do it.

It would be impossible for me to suggest what would be right for you, - and your doctor, who has your records, would probably be hard pressed to figure out exactly where your particular threshold is. I can only suggest that as long as you feel fine, you’re probably in the safe zone, but if any symptoms appear you’re probably at or over the line.

Build up slowly to where things are best for you. You have a long life ahead, and if things take a little longer to achieve – so what.
Burt

[Reenie]

Re: Derrick Tarver....b-ball player with HCM

This is solely my opinion, but having an ICD reduces the risk of SCD but does nothing to deter long term damage to the heart caused by the excessive use.

Reenie