[TOMAHAWK9521]

I got flagged on my retirement physical because the computer diagnostics said I showed symptoms of "Brugada (sp) Syndrome" ,otherwise known as "Sudden-Death Syndrome". I was told by the army's cardiologist that this is when young athletes (which I haven't been for many years, but thanks anyway, doc) either tear part of the heart tissue during intense contact sports, or the heart ruptures, develops an aortic tear, or succumbs to a whole slew of other possibilities. (5-finger death punch?) Examples given were: kid gets hit on the football field, gets up and walks a few steps and dies; kid goes up for a jump shot, lands, turns and dies.

I thought it was a pretty vague diagnosis when he listed the possibilities. Again, I'm no medic, but I thought it rather extreme that after 22 years in service I was suddenly prone to just keeling over if I sneezed too hard. Turned out I've had a 1st degree A-V node blockage for some time. My civilian doc said that's about as dangerous as having freckles on skin.