Ted Agu cause of death: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

The Alameda County coroner's office reports that Ted Agu died due to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which is a leading cause of sudden unexpected cardiac death among athletes. Henry K. Lee of the San Francisco Chronicle has the full report.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the cause of death in many young athletes in many sports. The heart muscle becomes abnormally thick, making it hard for the heart to pump blood and cause shortness of breath. The diseased has claimed or been suspected to claim the lives of basketball players like Reggie Lewis, Hank Gathers, Jason Collier and Kevin Duckworth, football players like Thomas Herrion, Mitch Frerotte, Gaines Adams, and Derick Faison, international soccer players like Marc-Vivien Foé, Miklós "Miki" Fehér, Mitchell Cole, and far more. More from KQED.

Dr. Kishor Avasarala, who specializes in sudden cardiac death risk at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland, says Agu’s condition is a well-known cause of death for young athletes.

“In roughly 50 percent of cases, they could have no symptoms at all, and the very first symptom could be a cardiac arrest,” Dr. Avasarala said.

You can learn more about Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (and also how to donate) at the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association website.

Cal Athletics has set up the Ted Agu Memorial Scholarship Fund, and you can set up your own donation to the fund by going to clicking here.

We miss you Ted. Go Bears.