Autopsy results show that a rare heart condition played a part in 21-year-old Dartmouth swimmer Tate Ramsden’s drowning at the end of last year.
The autopsy report, released earlier today by Dr. Russell Vega, chief medical examiner for Florida’s Manatee, Desoto, and Sarasota counties, cited drowning as the cause of death. It also listed arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy as a contributing cause.
According to Wikipedia, arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy is a rare, inherited heart disease that can often cause sudden cardiac death in young people. Oftentimes, individuals don’t show any symptoms, and athletic activity can increase the risk of sudden cardiac death from the condition.
The autopsy report suggests that Ramsden may have been in the early stages of the disease.
Ramsden passed away on December 26th at the Evalyn Sadlier Jones Branch YMCA in Sarasota, Florida. He was on vacation and had completed around 4,000 yards of his workout, and according to the police report, had moved on to practicing underwater swimming.
“Tate was a dedicated and talented athlete, and a fine student,” Dartmouth head swim coach Jim Wilson said, as part of Dartmouth’s statement on the incident back in January. “Our team is devastated, but we will remember Tate’s friendship, determination, and generosity in this tough time. We will all miss him very much.”
This was so scary to hear about and so sad for his family and friends. Heartfelt sympathies to his family.
I’m very sorry to hear of this. I cannot imagine how his family and friends must feel. May he rest in peace.