Sports News Southwest

Cardiology fellows from Stanford have challenged the 49ers to a push-up contest to raise money for research on hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a genetic heart condition that causes thickening of the heart muscle and can lead to sudden death.

Stanford doctors will test their strength on April 24. Cardiologists will compete in teams of two, with one doctor doing push-ups while the other counts. Representing the 49ers, strength coach Mark Uyeyuma will try to beat the highest number of push-ups performed by the cardiologists.

49ers safety Michael Lewis will be there to support the cause.

“I’m excited to be a part of this fundraising event for cardiac research,” Lewis said. “I have a heart condition called atrial fibrillation, and it’s important to me to have research continued on all types of heart ailments. This event will also hopefully help to open people’s eyes to the issue of heart problems in general so people can better understand how to handle heart problems and still live a healthy life.”

Former 49er Keena Turner will emcee the event, and members of the Gold Rush Squad will cheer on the participants.

The competition will be held from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Dean’s Lawn, outside of the Clark Center at 318 Campus Drive.

Admission is free and open to the public. Donations can be made online at http://firstgiving.com/bring-it. All proceeds will go to research at the Stanford Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center.

“Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the most common familial heart condition, and it affects one out of every 500 people,” said center director Euan Ashley, MD, assistant professor of cardiovascular medicine. “Although medicines and surgery can help with symptoms, we have no treatment for the underlying genetic disorder.”

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