Sudden Cardiac Arrest: How You Could Save a Life
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Health Tip of the Week Did you know about 23,000 children and teens experience a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) each year? Many of these result in death but could be prevented with greater awareness of the early warning signs and quick response in the event of an arrest. Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone at any time. Learn how you can be prepared to save a life.
Early warning signs of sudden cardiac arrest include:
A family history of heart problems can also raise a person’s risk of SCA, even when heart problems have never been diagnosed. Red flags include:
For more information, read “Know the Warning Signs: How You Can Prevent Sudden Cardiac Death.”
When a person experiences sudden cardiac arrest, quick action (within two to three minutes) is needed to save their life or prevent irreparable brain damage. The two most effective rapid responses are cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation with an automated external defibrillator (AED).
Unfortunately, too few people receive these life-saving treatments, and only 10 to 12% of people who experience SCA outside the hospital survive. By being prepared, you can help raise these survival numbers to as high as 80% and may even save the life of someone you love.
A person experiencing a cardiac arrest may lose consciousness and breathe abnormally or stop breathing altogether. Seizure-like shaking is also common. If this happens, here’s how you can take immediate action:
Proper hand placement for CPR
For more ways to help prevent SCA deaths, read “CPR and AED Could Save Your Child’s Life.”
Youth Heart Watch works with schools, youth sports, and community facilities to help them take steps to be Heart Safe and prepared to respond to a cardiac emergency. Our team provides guidance and resources to help community groups:
To make a difference in your community, spread the word to increase SCA awareness and encourage others to become educated and prepared to take action. For more resources, reach out to the Youth Heart Watch team at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia to learn how you, your child’s school or your community group can become Heart Safe. You can refer your child’s school or extracurricular activity to our Heart Safe program by completing this information form and we will reach out to them directly.
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