Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention
Cardiac risk assessments and pre-participation physical exams are not a standard part of checkups leaving young people unaware of potential warning signs and risk factors for a heart condition.
Play with Heart offers free heart screenings to the public. These screenings ask about family heart history, and works to recognize warning signs and symptoms of a heart condition. SCA can be prevented if the underlying causes can be diagnosed and treated early on.
EKG (or ECG) Screenings
An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test that measures the electrical activity of the heart. It can help to identify underlying heart conditions that can increase the risk of sudden cardiac arrest, such as coronary artery disease or arrhythmias. By detecting these conditions early, doctors can take steps to treat them and potentially prevent sudden cardiac arrest from occurring.
An electrocardiogram (ECG) is generally a quick and painless test. It typically takes only a few minutes to perform, and does not involve any pain or discomfort. The test involves attaching small sensors, or electrodes, to the chest, arms, and legs. These sensors detect the electrical signals produced by the heart, which are then recorded by the ECG machine and displayed as a graph on a monitor or paper printout. Your doctor will interpret the ECG results to determine if there are any abnormalities in your heart's electrical activity. Overall, the ECG is a safe and effective way to assess the health of your heart.
Youth, especially young athletes who are the most at risk for SCA, are not adequately screened for heart conditions. Because most heart conditions that can lead to SCA and ultimately SCD aren’t detectable with a stethoscope, having an EKG screening along with a comprehensive review of personal and family heart and health history, and knowledge of potential warning signs and symptoms are the best tools for prevention.
There are several reasons why youth athletes may not be adequately screened for heart conditions. One reason is that many young athletes may not have any symptoms of a heart condition, so they may not think to get screened. Additionally, some young athletes may not have access to the necessary medical facilities or expertise to undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) or other heart screening tests. Finally, there may be cost or insurance barriers that prevent youth athletes from getting screened. Overall, there are many complex factors that can prevent youth athletes from being adequately screened for heart conditions. It is important for parents, coaches, and health care providers to be aware of these challenges and work together to ensure that young athletes receive the necessary screenings to identify and treat potential heart conditions. Play With Heart partners with non-profits to break down these barriers and ensure that youth athletes are able to receive free heart health screenings.
CPR Training
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a life-saving technique that can be used to help someone who has experienced sudden cardiac arrest. CPR involves using chest compressions and rescue breaths to maintain blood flow to the brain and other vital organs until emergency medical help arrives. It is an important skill to have because sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone at any time, and every minute that passes without CPR and defibrillation (a medical treatment that uses electricity to restore a normal heart rhythm) can decrease a person's chances of survival. Therefore, having CPR training can help to increase the chances of survival for someone who experiences sudden cardiac arrest, and can make a crucial difference in a life-threatening emergency.
AED Placement
As explained by Parent Heart Watch, “according to the American Heart Association, 7 in 10 cardiac arrests happen at home, with the balance occurring in public places. Immediate response to cardiac arrest with hands-only CPR and an AED, if available, can be the difference between life and death by tripling the chance of survival. Considering the national average of EMS arrival is 6 to 13 minutes, bystanders are a critical bridge to survival when every minute counts."
For every minute that a victim goes without defibrillation, their chance for survival decreases by 10%. Having easily accessible AEDs allows on-site individuals to deliver potentially life-saving defibrillation therapy quickly and effectively.
Rescuers must remember that an AED will not shock a victim if a fatal heart rhythm is not detected, so you cannot hurt a person by attempting to deploy an AED—the device is specifically designed for a non-medical person to use. What’s more important to understand is that if nothing is done for a cardiac arrest victim, they will most likely die. Equipping schools and other places where youth congregate with AEDs and training people how to use the technology properly can provide a youth struck by SCA another chance at life.