A 22-year-old woman tragically died suddenly while doing barbell squats at a gym in Mexico.
The young woman, identified as Ariatna Lizeth Mata Esparza, was working out at the gym in Torreón, Mexico, when she suddenly collapsed.
Emergency services were quickly dispatched to the scene, but despite their efforts, Esparza was pronounced dead at the gym, per the Daily Mail.
Esparza was on the cusp of beginning her career as a nursery teacher and was awaiting the results of her certification exams on the day of her death.
Known for her love of animals, she frequently shared images of dogs available for adoption on her social media.
An official from the local Attorney General's Office confirmed that an autopsy revealed the cause of death as anoxemia, a condition characterized by insufficient oxygen in the blood.
This condition, the official suggested, may have been triggered by overexertion during her workout.
Additionally, the autopsy indicated that Esparza had suffered a stroke and blood clots.
The exact amount of weight Esparza was lifting remains unclear.
Doctors noted that anoxemia is a known risk at high altitudes, such as Torreón, which is situated 3,600 feet above sea level.
The condition occurs when the body uses more oxygen than it absorbs, leading to oxygen deficiency in the blood.
This can result in a dangerous rise in blood pressure, potentially causing a brain hemorrhage or leading to the formation of blood clots.
Individuals who are accustomed to high altitudes typically have a natural defense against conditions like anoxemia, as their bodies produce more hemoglobin to carry additional oxygen in the blood.
Healthline notes: "One form of anoxic anoxia can happen when you’re at high altitudes. Many of its symptoms are usually part of a condition called altitude sickness.
"Exerting yourself when you’re at high altitudes can make the effects of anoxic anoxia worse. This is because, with hard work, your body requires more oxygen but isn’t getting enough from the air."
A similar story occurred in 2022, when Jaramillo Ramírez was believed to have suffered a heart attack while at the gym.
Surveillance footage captured the moment Ramírez was performing squats and lifting weights, seemingly under the supervision of a fitness trainer, when she abruptly stopped and collapsed.
Bystanders immediately rushed to her aid, placing her in the recovery position and checking her pulse until paramedics arrived.
Despite their efforts, Ramírez was transported to Santa Teresita Hospital without showing any signs of life. Tragically, doctors pronounced her dead upon arrival.
