Anthony Russell of Hamilton Southeastern High School pauses in front of a hockey poster. (Photo courtesy of Anthony Russell)
Anthony Russell, a senior at Hamilton Southeastern High School, admits pursuing his passion for hockey was scary at times.
During his sophomore hockey tryout, Russell began experiencing dizziness and shortness of breath. His symptoms persisted, and he got worse when Russell started passing out during games, practices, and even classes.
“Fainting is a very scary thing because you never know when you're going to pass out,” Russell said. “Everything gets dark and you can't see, so you feel like you're stuck in a nightmare.”
Finally, he was diagnosed with neurocardiogenic syncope in early fall 2023. This syncope can lead to syncope attacks due to decreased blood flow to the brain. Then, in December 2023, I was diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, also known as POTS. This symptom is accompanied by increased heart rate, dizziness, and fatigue.
“Up until now, I had had medical emergencies and constant fear that my condition would affect my ability to play the sport I love,” Russell said. He usually passes out once or twice a month. “It's like walking a tightrope every day, not knowing when the next episode is going to happen.”
Russell said he was able to play as much as possible, but often had to miss practices and games due to his condition. He said he tried to make the most of his final season with HSE Hockey, which ended in March.
Russell did not play as a freshman and sat out the 2020-21 season amid the COVID-19 pandemic. And as a sophomore, he felt like he couldn't breathe during tryouts and conditioning.
“I thought she might be anemic,” Russell said. “I had every part of my body tested to find out what was going on with me. At first, my mother said it was because I wasn't feeling well. I also have asthma, so… The problem gets worse.”
The sophomore was initially told he couldn't play because of a heart test, but it was later determined to be a machine error and he was suspended.
“I felt a sense of relief when I finally determined exactly what was happening to me,” Russell said.
Russell's mother, Michelle Howeit, a nurse, said Russell was seen by multiple specialists, a cardiologist and a pulmonologist before he was found.
“Because of the risk of sudden cardiac arrest in youth sports, he underwent several tests to be cleared to play,” she said. “I was very nervous. There were some other medical parents and he had to be supervised, so he volunteered to come to practice. I passed out for longer than normal and was taken to the emergency room.”
Howeit said there are days when he tells his coach he won't be able to play the full game.
“It's embarrassing for him,” she said. “If it were me, I would have quit a long time ago.”
Russell helped coach the Indiana Youth Hockey Association's hockey learning program last season.
“Coaching allows me to pass on my love of hockey and inspire the next group of players,” said Russell, who started playing hockey at the age of six.
Russell isn't sure if his days of competitive hockey are over or if he'll try to play in a recreational league.
“There are definitely moments of anxiety, but my love for hockey is what keeps me determined to keep playing,” said Russell, who hopes to major in pediatric nursing in college. “The symptoms don't go away and when it comes to my endurance, the doctors said this is my peak, so it's take it or lose it. My biggest goal is to potentially face similar obstacles. To be an inspiration to some athletes, to know that no matter how unlikely the odds may seem, you can achieve your dreams and defy expectations.”
