Sudden cardiac arrest explained
Sudden cardiac arrest is a life threatening emergency. It’s when the heart suddenly ineffectively pumps blood through the body – this reduces oxygen supply to the brain and vital organs. The first 1-3minutes after the athlete’s collapse are critical in response with a target to deliver the first shock from an AED within 3minutes. Without the right emergency response, the person can die or suffer significant long-term disability within minutes.
A cardiac arrest happens suddenly and without warning. The person will:
- collapse and fall to the ground
- become unconscious and not respond
- either continue to breath, stop breathing normally (they may sound like they are choking, gasping or gurgling), or stop breathing
A cardiac arrest is different from a heart attack. During a heart attack, the person is usually awake, breathing and can call out for help. During a cardiac arrest, the person is not conscious, not breathing normally or at all, and cannot call for help.
Sudden cardiac arrest and athletes
When we play sport, our heart works harder and beats faster. This is good for our health. However, if a young athlete has a hidden heart problem, intense exercise can sometimes trigger sudden cardiac arrest.
Sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of sports- and exercise-related death in athletes. It can happen to fit and healthy young people, often with no warning signs.
Some young athletes have heart conditions they don’t know about. These can include problems with the heart muscle or the heart’s electrical system. Heart screening can help identify these problems early.
Sports like soccer and basketball are linked to many cases of sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes because they involve intense physical activity. High intensity sports and vigorous exercise can increase the risk of sudden cardiac arrest during the activity itself, particularly in people with undiagnosed underlying heart conditions.
How do we reduce the risk?
Cardiac screening and strong emergency response work together to reduce the risk of death from sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes.
Cardiac screening can help find hidden heart conditions early and prevent sudden cardiac arrest from happening.
Not every case can be prevented. That is why sporting clubs, schools, coaches, players, parents and the wider community must be prepared to respond.
Educating and training communities to recognise sudden cardiac arrest and respond quickly can make the difference between life and death.
Learn to promptly recognise and respond to Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) in an Athlete
Sudden cardiac arrest is a life-threatening medical emergency that requires immediate action. Timely recognition and response may be the deciding factor between life and death, or long-term disability caused by complications.
The videos linked on this page will help you recognise sudden cardiac arrest in an athlete and how to take appropriate action when every second counts.
What you can do
Donate (Tax-deductible) to support the work of the Foundation.
Your support helps us screen young athletes, educate communities, and build the infrastructure needed to prevent sudden cardiac arrests across Australia.
Register your interest for your community or school team’s heart screening
Check out education resources available now
Register your interest for training (aimed at coaches, managers, athletes and parents)
Volunteer with us by registering your interest (we’re looking for admin assistance, ECG technicians, nurses, paramedics, medical students, doctors, community & corporate engagement volunteers, fund raisers and others who are willing to support our work)
