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There is a great deal of information available concerning Sickle Cell Trait. What I can tell you for certain is people with the trait are not considered diseased. One out of every 10 to 12 African Americans carry the trait, and never experience any problems from it. The below information is my understanding, and I am not a doctor, so read the study by Dr. Kark!

There has been studies done by Dr. John Kark for the Howard University School of Medicine Center for Sickle Cell Disease. Dr. Kark and his team through their extensive study found that there is a corilation between sickle cell trait, and a condition known as Exercise-Related Heat Illness, or Exertional Heat Ilness (EHI) EHI is sometimes referred to commonly as a heat stroke. EHI is a life threatening illness but is not something you would likely die from. Dr. Kark found that if you have the sickle cell trait, and you fall into EHI, you have a 26 to 40 times greater chance of dying than someone who does not possess the trait. This is not to say if you have the trait, and you experience EHI, you will die. No, it is to say that you have a significantly greater risk of expiring under EHI. There is not a great number Exercise Related Deaths (ERD) to be studied, but Dr. Kark certianly lays out a valid connection in those available.

There has also been other studies by Sporting Institutions which concur with Karks findings. Through out the sickle cell medical communtiy there are some differences of opinion as to the actual risk and relation of peope with trait and ERD. The research continues.

I could continue just a little, but soon I would be possibly over extending my limited knowledge of sickle cell trait. So below I have provided links to articles that will keep anyone like me busy for some time, reading and re-reading, trying to make sense of it. Good luck!