Vasovagal syncope: the condition affecting São Paulo’s Oscar | OneFootball

One of the main news stories about São Paulo this week was the hospitalization of midfielder Oscar at Albert Einstein Hospital, after he felt unwell during tests at the Super CT in Barra Funda. The player was diagnosed with vasovagal syncope, an exaggerated reaction of the vagus nerve to a trigger.

Seeking to find out if Oscar can return to play after the diagnosis, Gazeta Esportiva consulted a specialist, Dr. Raphael Boesche Guimarães, a cardiologist certified by the Brazilian Society of Cardiology.

Reason to worry?

Oscar felt unwell during a bike test last Tuesday, and was promptly attended to by the medical team overseeing the exams. The cardiologist explained that the midfielder’s fainting spell could have been a “warning” from his body, but also noted that vasovagal syncope is generally a benign condition.

“When an athlete loses consciousness during exercise, I consider it a warning sign. Syncope during exertion can be linked to malignant arrhythmias, structural heart diseases such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or even ischemic problems. All of these conditions can put the athlete’s life at risk, especially during high-intensity activities,” explained Dr. Raphael.

“It’s true that there is a common and generally benign type of fainting, called vasovagal syncope. It happens due to an exaggerated response from the nervous system, causing blood pressure to drop quickly and reducing blood flow to the brain. But even this type of syncope, when it occurs in athletes and during exertion, needs to be approached with caution,” he continued.

Oscar (Photo: Rubens Chiri / São Paulo FC)

The cardiologist also detailed the electrophysiological study that Oscar underwent last Friday.

“Depending on the case, we also make use of the electrophysiological study, which is an invasive exam but can accurately map arrhythmia sources. Each result helps us understand the risk and determine whether we are facing a condition that allows or contraindicates the continuation of sports practice,” he stated.

Can Oscar return to play?

After Oscar’s diagnosis, the question arose regarding his ability to return to work. Cardiologist Dr. Raphael Boesche Guimarães explained the possibilities for the midfielder’s return and emphasized the need for a “complete and detailed” investigation before making a final decision about the player’s career.

“When we talk about fainting during physical exertion, as happened with Oscar during the bike test, we need to raise an important alert. Syncope in the context of exercise is not something we can consider trivial. It can indicate anything from benign causes to serious heart conditions, and therefore requires a complete and detailed investigation,” said the doctor.

“Oscar is stable, which is a good sign, but his return depends entirely on the diagnosis. Since the diagnosis was vasovagal syncope, it is generally possible to clear the athlete with routine adjustments, proper hydration, and frequent monitoring. Now, if a serious condition were confirmed, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or high-risk ventricular arrhythmias, then the recommendation would change completely. Competitive and high-intensity sports would become formally contraindicated. In these situations, the focus must be on the athlete’s safety and longevity,” he concluded.

Many injuries and absences

Oscar’s season was marked by many ups and downs at São Paulo. Considered the club’s main signing of the year, the midfielder struggled with injuries and missed many games. In total, he played only 21 matches, scoring two goals and providing five assists.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.