Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is an emergency that happens when the heart suddenly stops working. SCA can cause death if not treated immediately, and even with treatment death may occur. Immediate treatment is cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and use of an automatic external defibrillator (AED). Preventing SCA before it happens is the best way to save a life. 

Both your family health history and your child’s personal history must be told to healthcare providers to help them know if your child is at risk for sudden cardiac arrest. Ask your child if they are having any of the symptoms listed below and tell a healthcare provider. Know your family history and tell a healthcare provider of any risk factors listed below. 

The signs or symptoms are:

• Fainting or seizure, especially during or right after exercise or with excitement or startled 
• Racing heart, palpitations, or irregular heartbeat 
• Dizziness, lightheadedness, or extreme fatigue with exercise 
• Chest pain or discomfort with exercise
• Excessive shortness of breath during exercise 
• Excessive, unexpected fatigue during or after exercise 

Student’s Personal Risk Factors are:

• Use of diet pills, performance-enhancing supplements, energy drinks, or drugs such as cocaine, inhalants, or “recreational” drugs.
• Elevated blood pressure or cholesterol 
• History of health care provider ordered test(s) for heart related issues

Student’s Family History Risk Factors are:

• Family history of known heart abnormalities or sudden death before 50 years of age
• Family members with unexplained fainting, seizures, drowning, near drowning or car accidents before 50 years of age 
• Structural heart abnormality, repaired or unrepaired 
• Any relative diagnosed with the following conditions: 
  • Enlarged Heart/ Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy/Dilated Cardiomyopathy 
  • Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy 
  • Heart rhythm problems, long or short QT interval 
  • Brugada Syndrome
  • Catecholaminergic Ventricular Tachycardia 
  • Marfan Syndrome- aortic rupture 
  • Heart attack at 50 years or younger 
  • Pacemaker or implanted cardiac defibrillator (ICD) 

Any student with such signs or symptoms, family history or personal risk factors should be evaluated by a healthcare provider before participating in athletics. This is important since SCA can be triggered by athletic activities in students at risk.