Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Athletes: What Schools and Teams Need to Know

Caitlin-Renèe Holmes

Published:11 December 2024

In the high-energy world of youth sports, every game, every practice, and every moment can feel like a race to victory. But behind the cheers and competition lies a hidden danger: sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Often striking without warning, SCA is the leading cause of death among young athletes, with approximately 1 in 50,000 dying each year due to this condition. The tragedy? Many of these deaths are preventable with proper awareness, preparation, and access to life-saving tools like defibrillators.

This article explores what schools and sports teams need to know to safeguard their athletes, from understanding SCA to implementing a cardiac emergency response plan.

What Is Sudden Cardiac Arrest?

Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the heart’s electrical system malfunctions, causing it to stop beating effectively. Unlike a heart attack, which is a blockage issue, SCA is an electrical problem that prevents the heart from pumping blood. Without immediate intervention, survival rates drop by 10% with every passing minute.

In athletes, SCA often occurs during or just after intense physical activity. While rare, it can have devastating consequences, especially for young people who may have undiagnosed heart conditions like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC).

Recognising the Warning Signs

One of the challenges of SCA is its unpredictability. However, in some cases, warning signs may appear beforehand:

Unexplained fainting during or after physical activity.
Chest pain or discomfort, especially during exercise.
Shortness of breath that seems unusual for the level of activity.
Rapid or irregular heartbeat that feels alarming or out of sync.

Educating athletes, coaches, and parents to recognise these subtle symptoms is critical. For more community-focused solutions to emergency preparedness, visit our Community page.

Why Athletes Are at Greater Risk

Athletes face unique risks due to the intense strain their bodies undergo. Physical exertion can act as a trigger for SCA in individuals with underlying heart conditions, many of which remain undetected until a crisis occurs. The risk is especially high in sports that demand bursts of energy, such as basketball, soccer, or swimming.

To mitigate these risks, schools and sports teams should consider pre-participation screenings that include electrocardiograms (ECGs) alongside medical history checks.

The Role of Defibrillators in Saving Lives

When SCA strikes, the window for survival is incredibly narrow. This is where automated external defibrillators (AEDs) come in. AEDs deliver a shock to restart the heart, giving athletes their best chance at survival.

Types of AEDs:

Semi-Automatic AEDs: These devices guide users through the process and require manual activation to deliver a shock. Ideal for environments where responders may want more control.
Fully Automatic AEDs: These devices assess the heart rhythm and deliver a shock automatically if needed, eliminating hesitation.

For schools and sports teams, AEDs should be as much a priority as first aid kits and fire extinguishers. Indoor facilities, in particular, should have easily accessible AEDs. Explore AEDs designed for indoor use.

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How to Prepare: Creating a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan

Every second matters during SCA. A well-designed cardiac emergency response plan can mean the difference between life and death.

Steps to Create an Effective Plan:

Place AEDs Strategically: Ensure AEDs are installed in easily accessible areas, such as gymnasiums, sports fields, and locker rooms.
Train Staff and Coaches: Conduct regular training sessions on CPR and AED usage, empowering team members to act confidently during emergencies.
Run Emergency Drills: Simulate real-life scenarios to prepare athletes, coaches, and spectators for high-stress situations.
Communicate the Plan: Make sure everyone; staff, students, and parents; knows the steps to take if an athlete collapses.

For community sports leagues and public schools, these measures can help ensure comprehensive coverage during events. Visit our Community page for additional resources.

Educating Coaches, Parents, and Athletes

Awareness and education are vital components of any safety strategy. Schools and teams should prioritise:

CPR Certification: Equip staff and even older students with CPR training to keep blood circulating until an AED arrives.
Regular Safety Workshops: Hold sessions to discuss heart health and SCA warning signs.
Collaborative Learning: Involve parents and students in discussions about risk factors and prevention.

Real Stories: How AEDs Have Saved Athletes

The power of AEDs has been demonstrated time and again. In 2018, a 15-year-old football player in the UK suffered a sudden cardiac arrest during a match. Thanks to an on-site AED and trained staff, he was revived within minutes and later received a diagnosis of an undetected heart condition.

Such stories underscore the life-saving potential of preparedness and reinforce the importance of AED accessibility.

Empowering Rural and Underserved Areas

While urban schools may have better access to resources, rural communities often face challenges in AED accessibility and training. Schools and sports organisations in these areas should prioritise partnerships with local health authorities to ensure AED placement and first-response training.

For guidance tailored to specific environments, explore our Indoor Use of AEDs.

Protecting Young Lives: A Collective Responsibility

Every student-athlete deserves to play and compete in a safe environment. By investing in AEDs, fostering awareness, and implementing emergency response plans, schools and sports teams can create a culture of preparedness that saves lives.

Explore our range of AEDs designed for community and indoor use, or dive into resources on semi-automatic AEDs and fully automatic AEDs.

Let’s make sports safer for everyone.