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Description
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a medical emergency where the heart unexpectedly stops beating due to an electrical malfunction. A person experiencing a cardiac arrest collapses, loses consciousness, and ceases breathing (American Heart Association, 2022).
Exercise offers numerous benefits to the cardiovascular system and a person’s overall health. However, there are incidents of sports-related cardiac arrest in apparently healthy athletes, including children and young adults. Athletes may be exposed to dehydration, adrenic surges, electrolyte imbalances, acid/base disturbances, and trauma which increases their risk of experiencing a cardiac event (Wasfy et al., 2016).
Sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death in youth athletes. Despite this alarming statistic, there is a significant gap in awareness and emergency action plan (EAP) compliance among coaches, parents, and medical personnel in club youth sports organizations. Non-school based youth sports organizations often lack the safeguards and resources that schools can provide. It is critical to enhance the education about cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), automated external defibrillators (AEDs), and comprehensive emergency action plans (EAPs). Coaches, parents, and officials can uphold the safety standards of sports activities when they are certified and trained in the necessary medical interventions. By addressing these gaps in knowledge and preparedness, there is an opportunity to protect children and prevent cardiac death in youth sports.
Department
Nursing
Publication Date
12-4-2024
Sponsorship/Conference/Institution
Dominican University of California
City
San Rafael, CA
Keywords
sudden cardiac arrest, youth sports, emergency preparedness, CPR/AED education
Disciplines
Cardiology | Community Health and Preventive Medicine | Critical Care | Emergency Medicine | Nursing | Patient Safety | Pediatric Nursing | Pediatrics | Public Health and Community Nursing | Sports Medicine | Sports Sciences
Included in
Cardiology Commons, Community Health and Preventive Medicine Commons, Critical Care Commons, Emergency Medicine Commons, Patient Safety Commons, Pediatric Nursing Commons, Pediatrics Commons, Public Health and Community Nursing Commons, Sports Medicine Commons, Sports Sciences Commons