Bronny James, the son of NBA superstar LeBron James, has been diagnosed with a congenital heart defect that caused his cardiac arrest last month, according to a statement from his family.
The 18-year-old basketball player collapsed during a workout at the University of Southern California on July 24 and was rushed to a hospital. He was later transferred to the Mayo Clinic, and Atlantic Health-Morristown Medical Center in New Jersey for further evaluation.
What Type of Heart Defect Does Bronny James?
According to Fox News, a statement released by the James Family said that the likely cause of Bronny’s sudden cardiac arrest has been identified as “an anatomically and functionally significant Congenital Heart Defect”. The statement did not specify what type of heart defect Bronny has, but said that the doctors are not only confident in Bronny will fully recover, but also that he will return to basketball very soon.
Does Bronny James Need Heart Surgery? Details on What a Congenital Heart Defect Is
A congenital heart defect is a problem with the structure of the heart, or the blood vessels around it that is present at birth. It can affect the normal flow of blood through the heart and the rest of the body.
There are many different types of congenital heart defects, ranging from mild to severe. Some may not cause any symptoms or require any treatment, while others may need medication, surgery, or other procedures to correct or improve the condition.
Congenital heart defects are the most common birth defect, affecting about one percent of live births in the United States. The exact cause of most congenital heart defects is unknown, but some risk factors include genetic or chromosomal abnormalities, maternal infections or illnesses, exposure to certain drugs or chemicals, or environmental factors.
It’s not clear what type of treatment plan is in place for Bronny, but considering that doctors said he might return to the court in the near future, it seems like there’s chance that he won’t need heart surgery. Unless by near future they mean within the next year or two.
Bronny James is one of the top basketball prospects in the nation, and was getting ready to showcase his talent committed for USC in 2023. The news of his Bronny’s heart defect has shocked and saddened many fans and celebrities, who have expressed their support and prayers for him and his family on social media. However, fans are also happy that at the very least there is now a chance he will be able to play basketball again.
