What is Sudden Cardiac Arrest?
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a sudden, unexpected loss of heart function, breathing and consciousness. When this happens, oxygen-rich blood stops flowing to the brain and other vital organs, causing loss of consciousness or seizure-like activity in seconds. Sudden cardiac arrest is NOT a heart attack.
SCA is caused by an electrical disturbance in the heart which can be caused by an abnormality that you’re born with or developed as you grow. SCA affects people of all ages, including children and teenagers who seem to be healthy and symptomless. Sudden cardiac arrest leads to death within minutes if the person doesn’t receive help right away.
Nearly 90% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests are fatal. SCA is a leading cause of death in the United States, killing nearly 250,000 people each year.
Symptoms of Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Some symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest may include loss of consciousness, no pulse or abnormal pulse, no normal breathing, chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, lightheadedness or dizziness, rapid or irregular heart rate, cold or clammy skin and loss of bladder or bowel control.
It is important to note that not all people who experience sudden cardiac arrest will have all of these symptoms, and some may only have a few. If you or someone you are with experiences any of these symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.
Why Athletes?
Athletes are at an increased risk of sudden cardiac arrest due to the physical stress that intense exercise can put on the heart. This can cause underlying heart conditions, such as coronary artery disease or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, to become more pronounced and potentially lead to sudden cardiac arrest. Additionally, the intense physical activity can trigger abnormal heart rhythms, known as arrhythmias, which can also cause sudden cardiac arrest. Finally, some athletes may be taking performance-enhancing drugs that can put additional strain on the heart and increase the risk of sudden cardiac arrest.
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), SCA is the leading cause of death in young athletes and Americans in general, claiming more than 250,000 lives annually. It is the most common medical cause of death in athletes, with around 1 in 40,000 to 1 in 80,000 athletes per year. Studies show that 1 in 300 youth have an undetected heart condition putting them at risk for SCA and most SCDs (sudden cardiac deaths) in “competitive athletes” occur in younger populations.
70% of athletes with SCD (sudden cardiac death) did not report any symptoms leading up to the event and the 30% of athletes who did report symptoms reported chest pain, shortness of breath, performance decline, palpitations, pre-syncope or syncope; many of these symptoms are consistent with “being out of shape” or “working hard” and are often overlooked.
The America Heart Association recommends the average American to receive their first EKG at 20 years old. Most children start playing sports at 5 years old. This leaves a 15 year gap between when most kids start sports and when they have an EKG. Play With Heart is here to bridge that gap.