Heart victim's lesson for Curry: The beat goes on

University of Washington guard Kayla Burt is not afraid of a hardfoul and is willing to attack the basket just the way her teammatesdo. But the defibrillator that was implanted in her chest just overtwo years ago sometimes makes its way into her thoughts anyway.

"In some ways, it's inevitable that I'm more protective of thatside of my body," Burt said. "When I'm playing, you're fearless, butdeep down there's a part of you thinking, when there's a loose ball,for example, How do I get the ball without diving on my right side?"'

Burt wants to be a normal basketball player. But her heart stoppedDec. 31, 2002, and that experience always is going to be a part ofher. Some of her teammates were with her when she complained of light-headedness and then collapsed that night, and their attempts toresuscitate her while waiting for an ambulance saved her life. Shewas diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome, an abnormality in the heart'selectrical system, and thought her basketball career was over.

Doctors believe Bulls center Eddy Curry, who is out the rest ofthe season because of an irregular heartbeat, will be able tocontinue his career. But for athletes diagnosed with serious heartconditions, the potential sacrifice is much larger than a few missedplayoff games and a smaller paycheck. If they continue playing, theydo so with some risk. But if they stop, they are walking away fromwhat has provided them joy throughout their lives.

"I was devastated," Burt said of the initial diagnosis. "The gamehad been taken away from me in less than 24 hours. But I was justhappy to be alive. I even remember telling people if I had anopportunity to play again, I wouldn't.

"But as time went on, I heard other stories and started realizingthat things in life happen, and you don't know what the next step isgoing to be. I couldn't imagine going to school and not playing. Icould still run and play for fun and I was fine. You get thesefeelings like, I'm healthy. Why wouldn't I try?"'

Further tests concluded Burt did not have Long QT Syndrome afterall, which played a big role in giving her the confidence she neededto think about returning to the court. Doctors still do not reallyknow what caused her heart to stop. But Burt started playing againlast fall and continues to compete for the Huskies.

"It was like testing waters with a lot of things," Burt said ofher first weeks back with the team. "This whole year, I didn't haveany complications or problems. But it's something you think about.It's always in the back of your mind."

There are plenty of reminders of how Burt's life has changed. Shetakes a beta blocker each day. Her teammates make fun of her and callher "Grandma" in part because she likes to go to bed early, but shethinks sometimes that is the result of the medicine. She usually hasenough energy for basketball and still feels like herself, but shebelieves she gets tired quicker than most people.

Since Burt's collapse, the team has gone through training to learnhow to use an external defibrillator and CPR and now has adefibrillator available at home games and on the road. Burt and herfamily had to sign a waiver assuming the risks of playing for theteam and releasing the university from responsibility for anyconsequences that might come from that decision.

And then there is the defibrillator in her chest. It also pacesher heart, and she sometimes can feel it speeding up her heart atnight when she is relaxed. When she plays, she wears a protectivesports bra with sewn-in padding that protects her heart and thedefibrillator.

But her coaches treat her the same as everyone else. She would nothave it any other way. She takes part in the same drills, practicesthe same plays, participates in the same rituals. And so she inspiresothers who have experienced similar heart problems. She has beencontacted by all sorts of people who have had similar experiences andare just trying to cope. The best part is they help her cope, too.

"A lot of times, you think you're the only one," Burt said."You're so young, and you think something like this only happens toolder people. You don't realize how many people have gone through thesame things. It's commonality in a situation where you feel alonesometimes."