Woman, 22, Collapses and Dies at Gym While Doing Barbell Squats

A 22-year-old woman collapsed while lifting weights at her local gym and was pronounced dead from what paramedics said was a lack of oxygen.

Ariatna Lizeth Mata Esparza was working out at her local gym in Torreón, Mexico when she suddenly collapsed while doing barbell squats. Daily Mail reports.

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Paramedics were unable to revive Esparza, who was pronounced dead at the scene, the paper reports, and the cause of death was anoxemia – possibly due to overexertion.

“Anoxemia refers to reduced availability of oxygen,” he says Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology explains. “The brain is more dependent on oxygen than other body organs, and the medial temporal lobe and limbic structures are particularly vulnerable to brain damage.”

Esparza also suffered a stroke and had blood clots Daily Mail reports.

Ariatna Lizeth Mata Esparza, who died while working out at her local gym.

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A mother of four has died after falling on a treadmill at a gym in LA, Washington

Fainting or feeling “lightheaded” during exercise can be common, according to the Mass. General Brigham article.

“When we’re exercising and we’re out of breath, which is normal, and we’re also very engaged in what we’re doing, sometimes we can neglect to take a really deep breath,” Caroline Schepker, DO, a sports medicine physiatrist who treats patients at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital told General Massa Brigham.

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“Many of us tend to use the wrong muscles for deep breathing. Or we can hold our breath during periods of intense effort.”

However, there are underlying problems that can cause vertigo, Schepker said.

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These include cardiovascular problems, low blood sugar, neurological conditions, working in a hot environment, neurological conditions or other underlying – and perhaps undiagnosed – infections.

If you have an episode of lightheadedness while exercising, Schepker said it’s important to talk to your primary care doctor.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education