whatis

sca?

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a condition where the heart unexpectedly ceases to function.

Extreme fatigue associated with exercise.

Chest pain/shortness of breath during exercise.

Fainting or seizure.

º SCA is the #1 cause of death in student athletes, #2 medical cause of death for youth under 25, and the leading cause of death on school campuses

º SCA occurs suddenly and often without warning 95% of SCA victims die because help was not administered in minutes

º In the US a young athlete dies every 3-5 days

º 1 in 300 youth screened are found at risk for SCA

º SCA is preventable

º Active youth are at greater risk for SCA

º 72% of youth stricken by SCA had at least one symptom before the event, but did not recognize it as life threatening

º Family history is a contributing factor

º SCA survival depends on people nearby calling 911, starting CPR and using an AED (automated external defibrillator)

º October is National SCA Month

º Heart screenings are not typically part of standard check-ups or pre-participation sports physicals. Get tested anyway!

º An electrocardiogram (ECG) has the potential to detect heart problems and save lives

º You may also request an echocardiogram (echo) which is an ultrasound of the heart