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The Problem
The Silent Threat: Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) in Young Athletes
The true scale of HCM-related deaths among young athletes remains vastly underreported — making systemic prevention measures all the more urgent.
#1
Cause of Death
SCA is the leading cause of death among young athletes in the United States
1/3
Athletic Deaths
Sudden cardiac arrest accounts for nearly one-third of all deaths that occur on athletic fields
7–10%
Survival Drop
Every minute without defibrillation reduces a
victim's survival chances by 7–10%
Know the Signs
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) can be difficult to detect and may go unnoticed for years, especially since some people experience no symptoms at all. You may be at higher risk if you have a family history of HCM, sudden cardiac arrest, or other unexplained heart conditions, or if you notice changes during physical activity. Understanding your risk is critical, as HCM may present with the following symptoms:
Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Fatigue
Dizziness
Fainting
Heart Palpitations
HCM
FAQs
HCM is far less common in children than in adults, affecting roughly 1 in 100,000 children. Children are more likely to have
a genetic cause of HCM. Children with HCM are also more likely to have cardiac arrest and to develop heart failure in life.If you have an immediate family member who has been diagnosed with HCM, you should be screened. Seek your doctor’s
advice about screening if you have a family history of cardiac conditions like sudden cardiac arrest or heart attack. Also
seek your doctor’s advice if you are experiencing cardiac symptoms like fainting, shortness of breath, palpitations, etc.SCD is an important cause of death in patients with HCM, particularly younger people. Cardiac arrest is usually caused by a dangerous heart rhythm abnormality. The beating of the heart is too fast and chaotic to provide enough blood to the brain and other vital organs. This leads to loss of consciousness. Without immediate treatment, cardiac arrest can be fatal, resulting in sudden cardiac death.
For someone who is experiencing sudden cardiac arrest, the use of CPR and an AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) could save their life. You can take CPR/AED Classes through the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association.
