Report on the Sudden Death of Pairs Figure Skater Sergei Grinkov

(Public Domain) - Report on the sudden death of Russian Pairs Figure Skater Sergei Grinkov at the age of 27 from a coronary attack (Incomplete).

[@mikeyd946]

So sad. Too young to die. My older brother suddenly died of a heart attack at age 23. No drugs, no alcohol, healthy active lifestyle, ate healthy. Traumatizing and devastating to this day so I could imagine that all of his family and friends and fans feel to this day. Live life everyday to the best. RIP.

[@marie-heleneallesiardi4989]

That's what my parents'death taught me.

[@ashleighjaimaosborne3966]

May he R.I.P.

[@mariezurie2172]

I'm so very sorry for your incomprehensible loss. Take care of yourself and have your genetics done for this type of heart disease. God bless you Mikey.

[@WickedlyMe328]

My cousin just recently had the widow maker heart attack, survived luckily. He’s 45, my brother’s age.

[@LolaClo]

RIP to your brother. Gone way too young

[@copykon]

it probably took all of his remaining strength to bring her down safety.

[@KassidyKatherine]

Years later this is still heartbreaking. When he and Katia were skating, that was like the Golden Age. They are definitely legends.

[@patriciapettit1711]

After we lost Sergei i could no longer watch figure skating. This year i discovered KZbin and, to my total delight, found that i could again watch this Magical Pair skate. It has been over 25 years and I still miss the elegance, the grace, the strength, and the speed that is G&G. And I can watch skating once again. There is no one that can come close to Gordeeva AND Grinkov. T

[@HeartWorX.Creations]

Exactly right!!!!!

[@hazelholmshaw9415]

I'm watching now again on KZbin,thank you.

[@shopsshire9282]

, hard to believe it's been 25 years since he's passed away rest in peace Sergei grinkov

[@kimwaddell3329]

I remember these pair. Wow hard to believe 25 years.

[@cannedheat300]

I miss these two, and I had the pleasure of seeing one of their last performances before Sergei's death. They were breathtaking.

[@rhondaramirez2563]

Same here I saw them perform live the summer of that sad year.

[@nkhart5520]

WOW that would be sooo hard.

[@WickedlyMe328]

I saw them with Stars on Ice in February and I think October at a professional skating event, their last ever performance live.

[@figureskating2724]

RIP Sergei. We are happy that he had a child to live for him. It also gives Katia something to help remember him.

[@patticallihan8515]

I had two cousins die at the age of 28 & 32 both played sport and took care of themselves. Still after all these years they were truly a beautiful couple to watch and soul mates even now....

[@pommiebears]

Young men, healthy and athletic, often suffer from cardiomyopathy. Without knowing anything about it....until it unfortunately takes them. I’m so sorry for your loss.

[@GunsNRoses1123]

Yeah like those football players who suddenly die while playing.

[@Bamcis100]

He was magnificent. A phenomenal skater, incredibly gorgeous. Like no other male figure skater then or since.

[@brandonrivera8112]

I remember the 90s all I did was watch figure skating. These 2 were my favorite pair both beautiful. What a love story.

[@kathymunn2404]

My fav also. I totally agree - he was magnificent. What a love story.

[@maryvonwald8729]

I totally agree G & G was the best of all time! Sergei was an incredible athlete and skater, he is still missed to this day!

[@marirothbauer5407]

The pain of loosing someone so talented so young so handsome is heartbreaking. At least he passed doing what he loved with his beautiful wife beside him. 28ys old and 28yrs have passed and the pain is still unbrarable. Thankfully we can still see them on KZbin. Skating with Mario Lanza singing is a double blessing. A statue of him would be magnificent never to be forgotten. 💙 💙 💋 💋 🎈 🎈

[@mariequichocho898]

Sergei Grinkov, even his name is Lyrical. I love saying his name because it’s Rare and it’s Beautiful just as he was. I miss the Bright Light that he brought to the world. You are greatly missed and I wish you were still here. But then; you left us a Very Rich and Joyous Legacy. Of which I am forever grateful. God Bless and Keep You, Always 🙏🏻❤️

[@Lyn.isGrey]

I remember all of this like it was yesterday. Katya was my idol, in a sense. It hit me hard. I still watch videos of them skating together every year. Idk why I do it, because it makes me emo.

[@rhondablack8079]

Because they are beautiful and mesmerizing

[@kham7571]

Because they are like angels on ice. With a love story like Romeo and Juliet. :(

[@Baldgol4]

Heartbreaking even after all these years.

[@Christian_Girl120]

I was very heartbroken when he died, and my heart went out to his wife, daughter, and the entire family and skating community. I'm still sad when I think about what happened. There will never be another skating pair like Sergei and Ekaterina. Rest in peace Sergei. I'm glad his wife found happiness once again. I'm sure she still misses Sergei and has a special place in her heart for him. But she was able to move on with skating. I think that's what Sergei would have wanted for her.

[@SUGAR_XYLER]

It didn't take her long to move on

[@svetlgork2366]

@@SUGAR_XYLER agree on that one. I have always thought that in their couple he loved her more than she loved him. She was too much focused on her carrier.

[@druidriley3163]

music loversax - who's to say she and Sergei wouldn't have divorced after some years as well? It's always easier to say 'that was true love' when their relationship didn't have a chance to run its course.

[@biancahotca3244]

@@svetlgork2366 career

[@toxic-low-key-ghost7934]

@@svetlgork2366 me too, when she found out that she was pregnant, her first thought was to have an abortion because she would be off the ice for too long, as soon as she gave birth she went back to skating, when sergei's back, shoulder and leg were in pain, they still skated. She said the nerve in his foot was so pinched that it was dead and he couldn't even run or walk properly or fit his foot into his boot, but somehow she thought it was still ok to skate? no hate to her i know in the moment you brush it off as just typical athlete pains but if you read her book and see all the doctors sergei had to go to, all the medical procedures he had done and all the pain he was in, you would think they would decide to stop skating.

[@ttkjv16112011]

Still one of the best skating pairs of all time. I have Ekaterina's book, "My Sergei ," It is signed by her.

[@sharonballantyne1735]

cool! i really liked this team, they were simply the best

[@druidriley3163]

ttkjv2015 - I have the book too. I enjoyed it up until I read the part where Sergei plied Ekaterina with alcohol to get her in the mood. Guess that's a Russian thing? Get girls drunk to make moves on them? I found that distasteful.

[@lvega5606]

@@druidriley3163 definitely not just a Russian thing. In fact, it's a global cliche that guys try to get girls drunk so they'll give it up easier.

[@PrincessPINKJiinxsay]

OMG!!! I just got goosebumps when i read that she signed ur book!!! I can't be'lie it's been 25 years. I'll Never forget Scott Hamilton's comment in the movie, "Their Time + Space is separate from the rest of skating history"..... Truer words were Never spoken. ❤❤💫

[@peanuts_ma8965]

Still breaks my heart after all these years. They were my favorite pairs couple. So graceful. I remember the Lillehammer games and rooting for them. I also remember what I was thinking at the time. At the end of their gold medal performance, I thought Sergei's breathing was odd. He seemed to be gasping for air and thought he might have a heart attack. I thought nothing of it until all those months later when he died. Doctors were stumped. But if you read Katia's book, there were so many clues. His father died at a relatively young age from a heart attack, I believe. Then Sergei had multiple health issues. He had constant back and shoulder pain. He had high cholesterol. Doctors obtained samples of his blood and discovered he had a rare genetic predisposition to clots. They call it the "Grinkov factor." They say he had the arteries of a 70-year-old. I think Sergei probably suspected but didn't want to disappoint Katia. He was like that.

[@danutagodek9186]

Też mi się tak wydaje, nie chciał zawieść Kati

[@conniebarnes9274]

For many of their fans, this was devastating. They were my favorites. Sorry to all that was affected by his and our loss.

[@tawnsingh5935]

So sad but I love that you have put this here for us to learn & see what a true love story is/was.

[@kimma508]

It was amazing watching Sergei and Katia’s love story play out on the ice. You knew when they were on the ice you were seeing something beautiful and you couldn’t take your eyes off of the tv. Sergei was a gifted skater with a smile that could light up a room.

[@Dobviews]

His wife and child must miss him terribly. So sad. Rest in Honor

[@corgisrule21]

Still heartbreaking....I'm an ICU nurse and everybody I see with an MI is there because they saw a sign or two and then came to the ER. This is so scary, especially since he'd just had a physical and checked out. Such precious memories he left us though... xo

[@MrErinholbert]

He probably attributed shortness of breath to his athletic routine and shoulder and back pain as well. Just unreal he had a complete blockage at 28 but it happens.

[@martheresa7550]

@@MrErinholbert True. So young. It's more dangerous for people with myocardial infarction that don't exhibit symptoms same with people who have hypertension. That's why regular checkups should be done and if there is any one symptom, consult with a doctor.

[@jennyn5692]

22 years ago, wow. I remember this so clearly. I remember their beautiful little girl. So, so sad.

[@EXTRAoRDINARYoUbySusanMyers]

This exact same thing happened to my best friend at the young age of 29. No symptoms whatsoever. His death left so many broken with grief for years.

[@darcybrummett7004]

Like probably every other figure skating fan, I was shocked when I heard the news. Scott Hamilton was clearly trying not to cry. 0:57

[@davidwesley2525]

Scott was almost speechless.

[@beckyporter8312]

Silent heart attack. That’s how my dad passed 5 years ago. So scary

[@marie-heleneallesiardi4989]

My mother too 14 years ago. Always on my mind.

[@sqlcomp]

I got to see Katia & Sergei skate in Houston and they skated like they were in the air , elegant and smooth! You couldn't hear their skates touch the ice!

[@joydarling314]

Did they look the same in person?

[@annierose8099]

It’s almost 26 years since he died. I was only 25 years old. I knew he died but I didn’t know it was from a heart attack. How I love watching them skate. They were and always be my favorite couple ice skaters⛸.

[@sheilabloom6735]

I still remember the shock and grief. Never to be forgotten.

[@jerrie2u]

They were far and away my favorite couple's skater's. It left me completely heartbroken for his wife, daughter, and family, the devastation is far more than I could understand, a mother should never have to bury a child! 🙏💔🙏

[@sweetheart8624]

Sergie's mother couldn't get over his death, she's lost interest in life and died 5 years later in 2000.

[@jerrie2u]

@Sweet Heart There's no getting over the loss of a child...its just so sad. 😥

[@sweetheart8624]

@@jerrie2u 😭

[@raidenwolfe6495]

I've never in my life ever heard of a love story as heartbreaking as this story...

[@EVZYL]

So glad I had an opportunity to see them perform!

[@TheInvincibleViolet]

Rest In Peace, Sergei :'( x

[@marirothbauer5407]

Today November. 20 2023 is the 28th year of Sergie Grinkov's passing at the age of 28 Sadly missed by all forever. ❤❤❤😢

[@leanie9660]

A friend died suddenly of a heart attack at the age of 38. She had been complaining of fatigue and discomfort for weeks, and had spent a few days in hospital for extensive tests....all tests pointed to full health. 2 days after leaving the hospital, she complained of a sore back and opted to sleep on the couch. The next morning, when her husband checked on her, she stood up and collapsed...dead. We were all shocked and horrified.

[@itssickitspiss]

Did they find out the cause of death? Truly heartbreaking. Sorry for your loss

[@robinflood7334]

He was a one of a kind talent. He will always be missed.

[@whoaitsreesy]

Can't believe it's been 20 years.

[@djmotise]

Pianist Alexei Sultanov died of a final stroke at the age of 35, nine years after he suffered his first one at the age of 26. The first one occurred while playing a concert. The next stroke put him in a wheelchair for years, until 2005 when the final stroke caused his death. He was the 1984 Gold Medalist of the Van Cliburn Competition. He also had a certain chronic heart condition. I believe both were undiscovered until the first stroke. And it was all preventable.

[@CharlietheUnicornL]

Still heartbroken decades later

[@gracepei2115]

Handsome Sergei, we miss you 😢

[@darlenegreywolf7330]

I remember that and was so very sorry he was so young, so talented!

[@swilter75sw]

I was so shocked to hear that someone so young could die from a heart attack.

[@elizabethpease947]

Sarah Wilterdink : There have been people younger than 28 who have died from a heart attack, When that happens, it usually means the person didn’t have any idea there was a problem with their heart.

[@karenroseberry1445]

My mother died from heart disease. It was a real shock! I didn't know she had heart disease until after she was gone. I miss her but I know she is in the best of hands. God bless those who have lost loved ones.

[@princesspatriot1544]

Karen Roseberry ....same for my mom as well .

[@luvvinlovelock7254]

Karen Roseberry I'm so sorry for your loss your mother

[@nellievanellie9935]

Karen Roseberry same for my Mom, never knew she had heart disease, never got sick, but overnight had a fatal heart attack and went so quick

[@IslandGirl-nt6ry]

If you watch their 1994 Olympic Gold Medal performance from Lillehammer, at the very end he seems to be strugglling for breath. Even Katia looks like she is saying "are you ok?" They are talking about blood pressure, and symptoms but that is why they call heart disease "the silent killer". His father had died just a few years before of heart disease. Hindsight is always 20/20, but if they had done an echocardiagram on his heart or cardio stress test, I think he would be alive today. Sometimes even an EKG does not pick it up.

[@mrskaa7584]

According to her book she asked him if he singled the Salchow, which he did, and she said he was extremely upset about it. Doubtful that he would show that kind of symptom nearly 2 years prior to his death anyway.

[@svetlgork2366]

Watching their videos I noticed that after many performances he looked pale, tired and his lips were kind of blue...

[@CheebsMom]

@@svetlgork2366 is

[@svetlgork2366]

? @@CheebsMom

[@johnsoutdooradventures3293]

@@svetlgork2366 Yes, I remember noticing that after their performances.

[@Chrisoula17]

I read the book My Sergei. Tear jerker. So tragic.

[@sallycampbell5438]

So painful. A beautiful human being.

[@judyevancic4926]

It was his time... his father died at early 50’s. Absolute shame.. He loved his life, in love with his wife and enthralled with his child.. everything we all wish for. God Bless you Sergei and your grieving family.

[@rizzo3170]

that was really a tough one for those of us who love skating. They were the greatest pair to ever skate no doubt - he is missed.

[@cupcakefairy87]

So heartbreaking. He had his whole life ahead of him. I feel sad for him and Ekaterina.

[@Gemini530]

Sad. He was very handsome

[@luvvinlovelock7254]

They were Camelot of ice skating. There will never be another

[@ericmoore3791]

How are you doing today my name is Eric Moore

[@hamilcross]

@@ericmoore3791 eric please stop harassing women in youtube comments you’re a freak

[@ericmoore3791]

@@hamilcross the weather over there is good so where are you from

[@millieo7155]

I was thinking of this recently hoping his wife has found peace and love in her life.

[@Cassie-pt7mt]

I loved to watch him during their throws. I loved his follow through. He didn't come to a halting, screeching, toe-pick, chuck the girl throw like so many of the male pair skaters. Just speed, throw, follow through, present. So beautiful. So effortless looking. He was the best male pair skater.

[@RONJAE212003]

Can you imagine being so heart broken she couldn’t even cry. She literally said she was shock for years. Wow. If you notice her face was normal like she wasn’t even at a funeral. She literally was numb.

[@jillkoerber5192]

That's how I was at my moms funeral 😔 i was just numb....couldn't cry.....

[@jamiejoonks]

There are other pics of her crying at the funeral

[@barbrn]

This type of heart attack is called a "widow-maker" for obvious reasons. RIP Sergei, you are missed.

[@valentinaqueenofthevalkyri3128]

I remember this. They were my favorite! Christina Yamaguchi and Oksana Baiul we're my favorites too

[@Lily-di6hm]

Kristi’s daughter skates at my rink and she’s there all the time and I’ve seen her more than 20 times but I’ve never had the courage to go up and say hi or ask for an autograph

[@peacelife]

Just learn about him after seing a small video. Such a beautiful couple, love story and he died so young. So talented.

[@barkingtree88]

I remember how heartbreaking this was for figure skating fans... I had seen him on stars on ice not long before this happened!

[@soulcornflake1]

I remember this report. The second half of the report simply talks about how some heart attacks do not show classic symptoms and may simply appear as back pain, especially if the person is relatively young (like Sergei). Considering Sergei already had back issues, he may have had that heart attack the day before and simply thought his back was acting up a bit.

[@vivelaresistance3239]

His artery was clogged down to a pinpoint. If his heart had been working at full capacity and he had all the oxygen, he would have been able to throw his partner into the next county and jump through the roof of the rink. It was never his strength that was his most obvious point, it was the gentleness with Ekaterina. The exhibition skate they did at Lillehammer had some of the loveliest lifts I’ve ever seen.

[@carynvanwyk]

They truly were the perfect pair on the ice and off.

[@marieadame2480]

Shoulder and back pain. With his family history, I would say maybe the doctors were neglectful. These are classic heart attack symptoms.

[@anja1627]

True. The back pain he was feeling 5 months until his death could be angina.

[@starkiss77]

They probably thought he was fit because he looked fit. There is no such thing as healthy look. He was obviously very unwell and this could have been caught if they ran the right tests. I would expect as a figure skater he would get a complete physical exams. Very sad, it got underestimated as muscular pain most likely.

[@faithshearer5956]

Back and shoulder pain are common ailments for someone who lifts and throws another person over his head while on skates everyday. To say that those symptoms are clear symptoms of a heart attack in someone who does that for a living is simplistic and misleading. His father died in his fifties, which is early but nowhere near 28.

[@laylarosexxx7467]

It's been nearly 16years since my heartattack and I always remember the nurses on the ward told me it can happen at any age any time !!! I was 46 thank God I'm still here to tell you my story but omg at 28 it's so sad ,so heartbreaking R.i.p young man so sad !!!

[@laylarosexxx7467]

@@wb2824 many thanks I'm now 62 got 6 grandkids and enjoying every minute with them.god bless you xx

[@coneyhead1000]

I can't watch this without crying. I am not a person to ask why, but, this is a time that it seems so impossible that an athlete of this caliber and perfection should be asked to give up his life. God never makes a mistake, and I keep telling myself this. Bless dear Ekaterina and be near to her.

[@FullMetal372]

coneyhead1000 remember god doesn't ask people. Or want people to die he made people to live forever. God didn't take him and cause all the pain and suffering to those who loved him, but we're imperfect because of Satan, and Adam and eve's poor choice, which means we all die at some point. God can give us the strength to deal with the horrible emotions assosiated with death though.

[@bleuskye8124]

I used to watch them on tv ,so many great memories.

[@stephanethewriter6998]

Still the most beautiful couple to ever skate on ice

[@elizabethbrown8833]

By God's Grace Sergei wasn't holding Ekaterina when he collapsed. I wonder.did he have an idea he was about to pass out and strove to make sure he was skating on his own . So tragic but thanks be to God even at his last breath he protected his. beloved Ekaterina. 💞💜🥀💛🙏

[@maureenstaniforth4493]

My husband died in 1975 of a heart attack he was 32

[@Joy4JESUSCHRIST]

I'm so sorry for your loss and the pain you surely endured. May the Lord bless and comfort you, always.🙏🏼🌸

[@amyp2063]

Maureen Staniforth I'm so sorry for your loss. 😳

[@christyolson9543]

so sorry for your loss

[@AllthebeautifulThings]

Maureen Staniforth Im so sorry for your loss....may God help you to deal with the pain that Im sure is still present. Hugs from the heart

[@gladysrodriguez5498]

Maureen Staniforth SORRY. GO'S BLESS HIM

[@Lisa-qk2hd]

Still such a sad loss. They were pure magic to watch.

[@sissysyme1334]

I was so heartbroken for his wife and family

[@blinderII]

Wow, he looked just like his father.

[@dustymiller65]

When it's your time, it's your time; that's life. Thanks for all you've given us, Sergei.

[@ydschools9745]

Beautiful couple was so shocked when this happened

[@sandranorman5469]

My father died at 39 of a heart attack. I am 71 and have had a heart attack and 6 stents and quadruple by-pass surgery and a stroke. I understand that the research is saying that if you are the daughter of an early death heart attack to be careful and make sure you check your blood pressure on a regular basis. My sister has to take high blood pressure meds when she was 22.

[@kkstar1297]

Abigail Foster oh my god I'm sure that was a horrible thing that you've had to witness that. I'm so sorry. I hope you and everyone else in the skating community are doing much better since this horrendous event. If you ever see Katia or any of the skaters that have witnessed this please tell them that Kkstar12 prays for them and will always think about them every day.

[@kkstar1297]

Ttkjv2015 I have the book too. I absolutely loved it. It was just stunningly amazing. I love learning about other people and I adore figure skating, so this book was just wonderfully perfect for me. He died just after I've turned a year old. Now I'm just learning about figure skating and all the champion's names and their titles that they've won. I will never part with this book for as long as I live. I'll love figure skating for the rest of my life. Rest In Peace Sergei. Katia u and Daria have stayed strong for nearly twenty one years now and I'm so proud of both of you of how far you've come since your terrible family tragedy. I lost my father at age twelve to brain cancer, and I've felt so alone. So I know how it feels when this kind of tragedy happens. In fact his 10th year anniversary of his death is next month and I can't believe how far our family has come. I hope I get to meet you and Daria one day love you guys and both of you keep skating and never give up. I've also seen the documentary of them under the same title as the book. It was amazing. I highly recommend it for those who enjoy figure skating and who loved watching Gordeeva and Grinkov skate. I even got the sequel book called A Letter For Daria. I've already read it. It was just as good as My Sergei. I suggest you guys read it too. It's not as long as the first book, it only has nine chapters in it. But it was still an awesome book. I know I'm going to be reading that again very soon and keep reading it again and again for the rest of my life. I'll never give up my love and passion for skating, and I'll never give up those books. They're now officially my favorite books of all time.

[@amyp2063]

kkstar 12 I just finished it. I agree. It was very good.

[@kkstar1297]

Amy Powers I've just finished reading it for the second time now, and it still shocks me on how hard it was to loose Sergei. I know I'll be reading it some more in my future. My brother saw it on the kitchen counter the other day and he asked me how many times have you read this book. I told him that this was only my second time. But I think I'll be reading it over and over and over again in my future. From now on My Sergei will always be my favorite book.

[@druidriley3163]

kkstar - it bothered me that in the book Ekaterina mentions Sergei giving her alcohol to get her in the mood. Russian men dosing girls with drinks to make moves on them? Very distasteful of Sergei.

[@kkstar1297]

HAHAHAH! I'll have to read the book again. I've kinda forgot about that part.

[@ChrisHenniker]

I bet that in many sportsmen, a heart attack could be mistaken for a sports injury or indigestion.

[@amyp2063]

CHris Henniker This is true. Some symtoms mimic other things.

[@cherylannemason]

As I recall, Katia said in her book that she wondered, after Sergei's death, if she should have been more concerned when he mentioned pain in his arms and shoulders. I'm assuming, though, that at the time, both they and his doctors would've simply thought of this as routine for a male pairs skater.

[@christopherhughes5729]

Today it would have been caught. With the exams you must take to compete. And it's his death unfortunately that changed the rules. Sad.

[@djmotise]

Where's the most important part? The video stopped just as they were going to tell us how to prevent heart attacks. Many people have commented here about the cut off of the video just when the doctor was going to tell us how to prevent such a thing. Can you please repost with the whole program? Or post a part two?? Thanks.

[@Richardsonprincess00]

I remember this too well knowing it was all but this dream sadly isn't that I was shocked to learn of his passing on the news early this morning, even the hearts goes out towards his family even friends of the figure skating community of his passing.

[@georgiehollander2199]

You are missed Sergei............From a fan..............xoxo

[@joshuamitchell5481]

How terrible for a young man to die so young. many prayers

[@djmotise]

joshua mitchell why so terrible? Why is death so feared in our western culture?

[@DannyLSXR]

So sad :(

[@zeenasworld]

Danny Vader I agree. I am crying watching this.

[@fayepellegrini7582]

wow this is so sad, thinking of and sending prayers and love to his wife and family including the skating community , R.I.P Sergei

[@angieware735]

Genetically predisposed to heart disease...his Father's passing at an early age was a huge red flag for all the Males in the Family. I was young when this happened and did not have the knowledge I have acquired thus...It was sad then and is still very sad to revisit.

[@starkiss77]

True, my dad had a heart attack in his 50's and my brother passed away from heart attack at 37.

[@n.sn_1713]

Sometimes things are too good to be true

[@kpax2066]

They were a lovely couple, both on and off the ice.

[@pelicanus11]

Sometimes people are born with weak hearts Its a congenital disease! The fact that he was overworked didnt help the situation any further.

[@marysueeasteregg]

He didn't have a "weak heart." No anatomical problem with the heart itself, he had cardiovascular disease. His blood vessels clogged up with plaque and/or a clot and his heart muscle could not get the oxygen it needed -- a classic "heart attack," more common in the middle-aged and elderly. The predisposition to this condition was genetic, but it is a very different problem than cardiac birth defects several friends have been born with. And he wasn't "overworked." Like any serious professional or amateur athlete, he was in good shape. He was training for the next touring season when he collapsed.

[@wluu1]

I just hope this doesn't happen to DARIA! *Praying*

[@SUGAR_XYLER]

Heart disease runs in the family and it gets passed down the line

[@ravenel2]

It’s rarer in girls. My mom lost her father at 55 and brother at 65 to heart attacks. My mom is almost 80.

[@hippiecowgirl4231]

Hate when it’s cut off so abruptly

[@miawarren8735]

The last of the real man skater. So sad.

[@pamelaswan6156]

"The question is, is there any way Grinkov's death could have been prevented? Most doctors say yes. With [cuts off] " UGH!!! XD

[@djmotise]

Pamela Swan I reacted the same way. The poster cut off the video at the most important part.

[@aviatrix91]

IKR?? I think I can make out “early”.. that’s by inference but early “what” I don’t know!!! Someone get back to me or I’m gonna have a Myocardial Infarction! (doctor speak for heart attack). However, Sergei was closely monitored by the Soviet Union sports machine and they never suspected that he had this problem. They probably weren’t looking for it because a healthy 28 year-old is way too young to have cardiac issues. They probably mean early detection which is seeing your doctor at least once a year, lab bloodwork to check cholesterol and other enzymes, an ekg, stress echocardiogram all the way up to cardiac catheterization). He was only a month older than me. The unfortunate thing is that the younger one has a heart attack, the less survivable it is. RIP Sergei. My dad died of a heart attack the same day except 18 years later. :(

[@ravenel2]

I think it was early detection and treatment. I had this on a VCR tape.

[@biancahotca3244]

@@aviatrix91 You mean the younger one is, the lower the chances of survival with a heart attack?

[@aviatrix91]

@@biancahotca3244 Hi Bianca! Short answer: Yes. Heart attacks are unheard of in a generally healthy 28-year-old man. We know he had a congenital heart defect that put him in a high risk category. It didn't help that his dad had 4 or 5 heart attacks before dying of the last one in 1991, I believe. Cardiac medicine has increased the rate of survival among those who are at risk of dying from heart related issues. Yet, having a heart attack before the age of 55 is less survivable than for those who had a first heart attack after the age of 55. IIRC, Sergei's dad was 50 when he succumbed to a final heart attack. No, not everyone who has a heart attack before the age 55 will die, but survivability is less. Sergei had a lot of risk factors, but his death from a heart attack was due to a congenital defect, not your usual scenario of someone who is overweight, eats a fatty/unhealthy diet and doesn't get regular exercise (for Pete's sake he was an athlete!). I hope I answered your question. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. ☺

[@evelynbarrios9066]

I love them want it too watch them all the time an still do,,,,,,,,I watch it on u-tupe all the time RIP Serge Grinko

[@AllthebeautifulThings]

:´( this is so sad still...

[@BebeLush2]

Wow. With all the hype over the US hockey team, I had forgotten about this terrible moment.

[@jennifursun3303]

she is so lady like. loved them

[@sallycampbell5438]

Tragic

[@risksikrikak903]

I have the book also, although unfortunately unsigned, but nevertheless one of my beloved love stories of all time.Beautiful and tragic.

[@williamdiemert9866]

It's happening to legend basketball player Pete Mavarich, NASCAR legend drivers Dale Earnhardt, WWE Hall of Fame Andre the Giant, actor Sammy Davis Jr., actor/comedian Redd Foxx, actor/comedian John Candy, actor/comedian John Ritter, basketball player Hank Gathers, and ice skating Segrei Grinkov.

[@elizabethpease947]

William Diemert : Sammy Davis, Jr died from throat cancer.

[@mikegordon8178]

Dale Earnhardt died in a crash at the Daytona 500.

[@williamdiemert9866]

@@mikegordon8178 he had a heart attack in race car during the 2001 Dayton 500

[@cocatfan]

My sister died in 1988 at the age of 36 from a coronary aneurysm.

[@ZaRastwocents]

cocatfan sorry

[@cocatfan]

No worries. My point was young people do die from heart problems.

[@judithhetherington420]

His back pain - if upper back - could have been his only symptom.

[@anja1627]

For 5 months, he kept on complaining about his back pain that he went to several doctors for consultation and even treatement. But he was misdiagnosed. Maybe for a young athlete who was in great shape, heart disease would be the last thing in mind. It was later found out through posthumous tests that it was due to genetic condition. He had a gene variant that causes blood clots and predisposed him to early-onset heart attacks. :(

[@suzannalytle2758]

People who are older overweight and diabetic are going to have tests done that you're not going to do on someone younger who is in shape.