Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Student Athletes
Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) in Student-Athletes
What Is Sudden Cardiac Arrest?
Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is not a heart attack. It’s an abnormality in the heart’s electrical system that abruptly stops the heartbeat. It's caused by an undetected congenital or genetic heart condition.
First Symptom May Be Death
Possible Warning Signs: Unexplained fainting, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, chest pain, heart palpitations, family history of SCA or unexplained sudden death under the age of 50.
1 Youth Athlete Dies Every 3 Days in the United States
SCA is 60% more likely to occur during exercise or sports activity, so athletes are at greater risk. SCA is also the leading cause of death on school campuses.
Time Critical
If not properly treated within minutes, SCA is fatal in 92% of cases.
Are there warning signs?
Although SCA happens unexpectedly, some people may have signs or symptoms, such as:
- fainting (#1 symptom of a potential heart condition)
- chest pain
- shortness of breath
- racing or fluttering of heartbeat (palpitation)
- dizziness or lightheadedness
- extreme fatigue (tiredness)
These symptoms can be unclear and confusing in athletes. Often, people confuse these warning signs with physical exhaustion. SCA can be prevented if the underlying causes can be diagnosed and treated.
How are student-athletes being protected?
California passed the Eric Paredes Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act in 2016 to protect students participating in school-sponsored athletic activities. New policy adds SCA training to coach certification and new protocol that empowers coaches to remove from play a student who exhibits fainting, and potentially for other conditions if they are believed to be cardiac-related. Student-athletes must be evaluated and cleared by a physician, surgeon, nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant to return to play. Student-athletes and parents/guardians review and sign an SCA Information sheet as part of their annual sports packet.
Resources
NFHS Sudden Cardiac Arrest Course (Free)
SCA Flyer / SCA Flyer (Spanish)
SCA Fact Sheet / SCA Fact Sheet (Spanish)
Parent/Athlete Team Meeting Handout / Parent/Athlete Team Meeting Handout (Spanish)
SCA Parent/Student Review Form / SCA Parent/Student Review Form (Spanish)
SCA Warning Signs and Symptoms Poster
Cardiac Chain of Survival Poster
A Parents Guide to Sudden Cardiac Arrest (Video)
Video for Parent/Athlete Seasonal Team Meeting
