More details are coming out about the young man, 16-year-old Wes Leonard, that died after scoring the game-winning layup to cap his team’s perfect, 20-10 season.
An autopsy performed Friday by Dr. David Start was reported in The Grand Rapids Press to show the Fennville standout died from a heart attack due to dilated cardiomyopathy. A condition in which the heart becomes weakened and enlarged and cannot pump blood efficiently. It is commonly genetic and it can affect the lungs, liver, and other body systems.
Wes Leonard after a game Thursday night Photo Courtesy Mlive.com
Futhermore, in the Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine, myocarditis should be suspected in athletes with unexplained cardiac arrhythmias and dysfunction, especially if preceded by a flu-like syndrome.
Leonard had been battling “flu-like symptoms” the week before his death.
And, according to his girlfriend who spoke with the Grand Rapids Press, he was taking antibiotics.
Any sickness plus strenuous activity is hard enough on a person with a regularly functioning heart. But, when suffering from dilated cardiomyopathy the risk is that much higher.
Leave a Reply