Sudden Cardiac Death

What is Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD)

• The heart stops beating normally

• The condition usually results from a problem with the heart's electrical system, called ventricular fibrillation( Vfib)

• This leads to the inability of the heart to pump blood the brain, lungs and the heart itself, causing hypoxic injury (lack of oxygen delivery) and ischemic injury (lack of blood flow) and death. 

IT MAY BE REVERSED BY CPR AND USING AN AED

If your child experiences any of the following early warning signs take them to see a health care provider

• Fainting suddenly and without warning, especially during exercise or in response to loud sounds like doorbells, alarm clocks or ringing phones

•  Unusual chest pain or shortness of breath during exercise

• •Family members who had sudden, unexplained and unexpected death before age 50

•  Family members who have been diagnosed with a condition that can cause sudden cardiac death, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) or Long QT syndrome

•  A seizure suddenly and without warning, especially during exercise or in response to loud sounds like doorbells, alarm clocks or ringing phones

Ensure your child has there regular physical check ups  & sports physicals

Learn how to do Hands only CPR: 

• Hands Only CPR 

• American Heart Association Hands only CPR video

Take a CPR class: 

 Redcross CPR / First aid courses 

American Heart Association CPR /First aid classes 

For More information:

•  Sudden Cardiac Death: CHOA SCD information 

• Hands Only CPR