Frequently Asked Questions

• Who is at risk for sudden cardiac arrest?

  Risk Factors:

  • Family history of heart disease, attack, or cardiac death
  • Cardiac conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, smoking or high cholesterol
  • Underlying or unknown cardiac condition 

  Warning Signs That May Lead to Cardiac Arrest:

  • Unexplained fainting or near fainting
  • Chest pains or tightness
  • Heart racing (chest palpitations)
  • Abnormal shortness of breath
  • Lightheadedness

   

• What should you do if you think your child is at risk?

  If you think your child may have risk factors, or has exhibited warning signs of cardiac arrest, you should:

  • Remove your child from physical activity
  • Schedule an appointment to see your primary care physician or family doctor
  • Do not allow your child to participate in any physical exertion until cleared by a physician

• What is done in a sudden cardiac arrest emergency?

  • Check the scene for a response from the patient
  • Call 911
  • Ask someone to get an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), if available 
  • Begn CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation)

• How does the Sentara Sports Medicine team prepare for a sudden cardiac arrest emergency?

  As with all emergencies, the Sentara Sports Medicine team works to prepare for sudden cardiac arrest:

  • Each High School & Middle School (as applicable) has an Emergency Action Plan in place that is reviewed annually by coaches, medical personnel, and staff
  • Each coach and athletic staff member must hold a First Aid, CPR, and AED certification from a nationally recognized organization
  • Automated External Defibrillators are available within each of our schools
  • Policies in place to encourage safe participation in various environmental hazards
  • Pre-participation exams (physicals) are required annually for each student-athlete prior to participation in activity

  ---

  • The following policy is intended to assist the Sports Medicine Staff and Physicians in establishing the steps necessary to prepare and respond to a potentially unexpected sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) episode. The policy is based on the recommendations found in the consensus statement established by the Inter Association Task Force on Emergency Preparedness and Management of Sudden Cardiac Arrest in High School and College Athletic Programs, Kory Stringer Institute, and National Athletic Trainer’s Association (NATA).

    Sentara Sudden Cardiac Arrest Policy pdf

    Definition of SCA:
    During a sudden cardiac arrest, heart function ceases abruptly and without warning. When this occurs, the heart is no longer able to pump blood to the rest of the body, and in 95% of victims, death occurs. According to the Kory Stringer Institute: “Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is the number one cause of exercise related death in young athletes and is due to a cardiovascular disorder. Age is a very significant factor in regards to SCD in athletes. For adults (individuals older than 35) coronary artery disease is the major cause of exercise related sudden cardiac death. For youth congenital cardiac conditions are the majority of causes for exercise related SCD. In the United States SCD is seen in all sports but mostly in basketball and football due to higher participation levels. Males are more likely to suffer from this condition as well as athletes of the African-American ethnicity.” While Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is a significant public health crisis, it is often misunderstood. SCA is not a heart attack. A heart attack occurs when a blood vessel becomes  blocked and interrupts blood flow to the heart, causing heart muscle to die. Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the heart's electrical system malfunctions and the heart stops beating. Most of these deaths occur with little or no warning, from a syndrome called sudden cardiac arrest. The most common cause of sudden cardiac arrest is a disturbance in the heart rhythm called ventricular fibrillation.

  Click here for the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Form