Protecting Youth from Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Our Mission:
Saving Hearts, Saving Lives
Saving Hearts Foundation works to protect youth from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) and preventable sudden cardiac death through FREE heart screenings. We aim to educate young adults about SCA, organize local heart screenings, and advocate for change in our communities and beyond.
SCA is a Massive Problem
Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is a life-threatening emergency that occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating. While often linked to chronic medical conditions, SCA alarmingly stands as the leading cause of death among athletes and on school campuses.1,2 Alarmingly, 1 in 300 young individuals harbors an undetected heart condition, significantly heightening their risk of SCA.3 Each year, an estimated 7,000 to 23,000 young lives are stricken annually.4,5
Despite these harrowing statistics, routine physical examination for athletes and young individuals does not include preventative heart screenings. This lack of early detection measures leads to missed opportunities for intervention.
At Saving Hearts Foundation, we are dedicated to closing this critical healthcare gap. We offer complimentary heart screenings to athletes, aiming to detect and address potential risks before they escalate. Our commitment is to safeguard young hearts and raise awareness about the pressing risks of Sudden Cardiac Arrest.
- Source 1: Journal of Athletic Training 2017;52(4):000-000 Harmon et al DOI: 10.1161/CirculatoinAHA.115.015431
- Source 2: https://www.asumag.com/safety-security/fire-life-safety/article/20850611/shocking-statistics
- Source 3: This represents the average from a variety of research: Fuller (1997), Corrado (2006), AHA (2007), Wilson (2008), Bessem (2009), Baggish (2010), Harmon (2015), Drezner (2016)
- Source 4: American Heart Association Heart Disease & Stroke Statistics 2019 Update
- Source 5: Characteristics of paediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, Okubu et al 2020
Victims of cardiac arrest outside of a hosptial setting (schools, gyms, athletic events, etc) with an AED have a 93% chance of survival versus 9% chance when no AED is present.
Victims of cardiac arrest outside of a hosptial setting (schools, gyms, athletic events, etc) with an AED have a 93% chance of survival versus 9% chance when no AED is present.
Victims of cardiac arrest outside of a hosptial setting (schools, gyms, athletic events, etc) with an AED have a 93% chance of survival versus 9% chance when no AED is present.
Source 2: Maron BJ, Haas TS, Ahluwalia A, Rutten-Ramos SC. Incidence of cardiovascular sudden deaths in Minnesota high school athletes. Heart Rhythm. 2013; 10: 374-377.
Source 3: Toresdahl BG, Rao AL, Harmon KG, Drezner JA. Incidence of sudden cardiac arrest in high school student athletes on school campus. Heart Rhythm. 2014; 11: 1190-1194.
Athletes face a three times greater risk of SCA compared to non athletes
Nearly 75% of all SCA cases in young athletes occur in basketball, football, and soccer players
Black athletes were nearly three times more likely to suffer from SCA when compared to their white counterparts
Male athletes were nearly four times more likely to have an episode of SCA when compared to female athletes
The rate of SCD in Italy declined by nearly 90% after the implementation of ECG screening
The European Sports Committee (ESC) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) advocate for the addition of the ECG to the sports screening
Heart Screenings
Individuals Screened
Requiring Cardiologist Follow-Up
Dangerous Cardiac Abnormalities Detected
Get Your Heart Screened!
We host several screenings a year. Find out when our next event will take place and where you can get your heart screened for FREE.
About SCA
Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is scary. Get the facts about SCA, bystander intervention, and learn how you can protect your heart and those of others.
Support Our Cause
We need your help. From donations, to community/partnership support, to signing up to host a future heart screening — everyone can make an impact.
Have Said
At 14 years old, Julia was an accomplished athlete, competing in multiple sports and balancing her schoolwork on top of practices, games, and meets. Because of a community heart screening, she was discovered to have Long QT syndrome - a high-risk condition for sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).
“Participating in that heart screening saved my life.
Discovering my condition at a young age has had a profound
impact on my life - all for the better."
Julia Kawas
Outreach Director - Saving Hearts Foundation
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