[Internal medical accidents during cross country skiing. Deaths and hospitalizations in the Upper Engadine].

Between January 1975 and March 1978, 15 cases of sudden death or hospitalized medical emergencies occurred during cross-country skiing in the Engadine region, comprising 3 sudden deaths, 9 myocardial infarctions, and 3 neurovascular accidents. The total number is small as compared to the number of people practising this sport. Among participants of the Engadine Ski Marathon, the incidence was 1 emergency per 40,000 skiing hours and 1 death per 120,000 skiing hours. Patients suffering from myocardial infarctions were all vacationers from lower altitudes, in most whom several risk factors were present. Two cases of cerebrovascular accident demonstrate that competitive cross-country skiing may impose enormous stress on the cerebrosvascular system even in well-trained individuals.