EXERCISE-ASSOCIATED COLLAPSE

Course overview

EXERCISE-ASSOCIATED COLLAPSE (EAC), ALSO KNOWN AS EXERCISE-ASSOCIATED POSTURAL HYPOTENSION (EAPH), IS DEFINED AS THE INABILITY TO STAND OR WALK UNAIDED DURING OR AFTER THE COMPLETION OF STRENUOUS EXERCISE. EAC IS OFTEN USED AS AN UMBRELLA TERM FOR ANY EXERTIONAL FALL. HOWEVER, THE FOCUS OF THIS TOPIC PERTAINS TO CAUSES RELATED TO POSTURAL HYPOTENSION. OTHER MEANS OF EXERTIONAL FALL, INCLUDING SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST, EXERTIONAL HEAT STROKE, EXERCISE-ASSOCIATED HYPONATREMIA, AND EXERCISE COLLAPSE ASSOCIATED WITH SICKLE CELL TRAIT (ECAST), ARE OUTSIDE OF THE SCOPE OF THIS TOPIC AND SHOULD BE STUDIED SEPARATELY. NEVERTHELESS, ASTUTE RECOGNITION OF THIS DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS IS CRITICAL FOR PROMPT TREATMENT.