Knowing the difference.. SCA and Heart Attack

Do you honestly know the difference? Many people don't. They assume that SCA (Sudden Cardiac Arrest) is the same as a Heart Attack. The truth could save your life or save the life of someone you love according to the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation.

The medical term for heart attack is myocardial infarction. A heart attack is also sometimes called a coronary thrombosis or coronary occlusion. A heart attack is referred to as a "plumbing problem". The person having the heart attack is usually awake and at times can talk.

Warning Signs of a Heart Attack are: (but not limited to)
Chest Discomfort
Sweating
Dizziness
Nausea
Discomfort in arms, back, neck and jaw

SCA (Sudden Cardiac Arrest)is often confused because of the name. Bottom line is when SCA strikes, most likely the person is NOT awake and the heart is no longer beating, thus being called SUDDEN. SCA is referred to as a "electrical problem". Just as you turn out the lights, the heart can simply just stop. Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is caused by ventricular fibrillation (VF), an abnormality in the heart's electrical system. When SCA strikes blood stops flowing to the brain the heart and the rest of the body, and the person collapses. Most of the time there are no warning signs.

Zachary Schrah had no known symptoms, no known risks and no family history of SCA or heart problems, he just collapsed and died on a normal day in Plano, TX, during a normal football practice. Who would have thought a healthy young man would lose his life from SCA at such a young age? It happens.

It can happen to anyone and the bottom line is: get screened or take your child to be screened. You can learn more about SCA Heart Screening at the Living for Zachary website. It is about prevention and that is what Living for Zachary is about-raising awareness of Sudden cardiac Arrest in youth, awareness of the use of AED's and celebrating the life and story of Zachary Schrah to help others.

If you are interested in helping the Living for Zachary mission, please visit the Living for Zachary website for information on Living for Zachary Upcoming events, Heart Screening and ways to donate to our cause.

Living for Zachary announces upcoming events!

Go Fishing for a Heart or perhaps Run for a purpose and enter the 2nd Annual 5k/10k/1 Mile Living For Zachary Heart Run. Whatever your heart leads you to do is great with us at Living for Zachary as we continue to bring awareness about Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA).

The 2nd Annual 5k /10k /1 Mile Living For Zachary Heart Run will be held at the The Shops at Legacy in Plano, TX on Saturday, October 23, 2010. Our Master of Ceremony will be Mr. Mike Doocey and great LIVE Music by Emerald City and Jaci Butler & Those Guys.

Registration information and sponsorship information for the 2nd Annual 5k /10k /1 Mile Living For Zachary Heart Run can be found on the Living for Zachary Fun Run page. This worthwhile event will be a fun time for the whole family with vendors, bounce houses, face painting and award presentations!

There is More!

L4Z is excited to announce the latest details on the 1st Annual Fishing 4 Hearts Lake Fork Open Team Tournament 2010 to be held Saturday, September 4th 2010. Registration Information can be found on the Living for Zachary 1st Annual Fishing 4 Hearts Page.
Mail in entries must be postmarked by Monday August 30th, 2010 so please hurry to register!

For Sponsorship Information on the 1st Annual Fishing 4 Hearts Event visit the Living for Zachary Fishing 4 Hearts page where you will find all the information you will need to be a part of this great day!! Let's GO FISH!

These events will bring awareness to Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Youth and in general and you can help spread the word by being a part of these fun events.

Be Aware - It's not so Rare...

Protecting our children is probably the most important thing that you have on your mind most days, however... are you doing all you can do for your child?

The more information that comes out about SCA (Sudden Cardiac Arrest) the more shocking is becomes that parent's do not take steps to protect their children.

We make sure our kid's tires are good on their cars, we take them for normal check-up's at the Doctor's office, we watch their doing's on the computer etc. in order to keep the children safe, but we cannot take ONE EXTRA STEP to protect our kid's from SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST.

SCA is not picky, it can hit no matter what color, what time, or what age you are. Heart Screening will help pick up any heart abnormalities and could save your child's life.

Not sure of all the signs and symptoms of Sudden Cardiac Awareness? Below are some, but more information on SCA Signs and Symptoms can be found at the Mayo Clinic or visit your regular Doctor and ask about heart screenings for kids and the risk your child could have.

SCA Signs and Symptoms:

• Fainting (syncope) or seizure during or after physical activity
• Unexplainable fainting or seizure
• Family history of heart disease
• Unexplained shortness of breath
• Unusual tiredness or fatigue
• Dizziness/ Light Headed
• Any chest pain or chest discomfort

Your child could or could not have these symptoms therefore you might not always have a "heads up" that something is wrong. Simple heart screenings can help know your child's risk.

Be aware, it's not so rare... what a great new title for the Parent Heart Watch program.

If you don't understand SCA or know the risks or even believe in additional testing for your child - take a look at the Stories from the Heart page on the Parent Heart Watch site. You might be a believer when you see all the beautiful young children that could have possibly been saved due to heart screening.

Walt Disney prepared for vacations with AEDs

When summertime comes upon us we start to plan for Vacation and time to get away and enjoy some quiet and fun times with our family and friends. SCA (Sudden Cardiac Arrest) can follow you on your vacation, without an invitation.

Good news if you are planning a trip to any of the Walt Disney World Theme Parks. You never know when SCA can strike or will strike, the important thing is that medical treatment is given immediately. You have a better chance of survival if medical treatment is given immediately and knowing where AEDs are when you travel is important for all families.

Walt Disney Spokespeople say "the AED units are an integral part of the four steps of survival needed during Sudden Cardiac Arrest." The steps are in order:

• call 911
• perform early CPR
• provide early defibrillation
• and obtain early advanced care

In 2002 all Walt Disney Resorts joined the prevention of SCA (Sudden Cardiac Arrest) by distributing hundreds of AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) to it's resorts, hotels, theme parks and water parks.

At Walt Disney Theme parks, MARCS (Medical Assistance Response Cart)are manned by two professionally trained paramedics and AEDs can be found on all security vans, in first aid locations, and all Lifeguards at the waterparks on the properties will have AEDs accessible to them. Walt Disney employees have had the opportunity to learn how to use the AED's and become certified; over 4,000 cast members were trained to use the AED at the various theme parks.

It is senseless to lose your life to SCA (Sudden Cardiac Arrest) - have your heart screened and know your risks so that when you go on vacation, you will be prepared with health information and have peace of mind.

5k/10k/1 Mile Living for Zachary Heart Run

2nd Annual 5k /10k /1 Mile Living For Zachary Heart Run

The Shops at Legacy

Plano, TX
Saturday, October 23, 2010

Master of Ceremony : Mr. Mike Doocy from Fox 4

Live Music will be by: Emerald City, Jaci Butler and Those Guys

Registration Information:

• Luke's Locker at 5717 Legacy Road Suite 180 Plano, TX 75024
• Same day Registration - Shops at Legacy - 7am

$10.00 Children 12 and under
$20.00 Student 13 to 18
$25.00 Adult registration
Same day registration at event $30.00

Run Times
8:30am 5K / 10K
9:00am 1mile Run Run

Awards will be presented to Top three overall ~
1st, 2nd, and 3rd place
Male and Female divisions

(band to follow afterwards)

Fun for all!
Bounce Houses
Vendor Booths
Concerts
Face Painting

Sponsors:

Luke's Locker
THE HEART HOSPITAL Baylor Plano
Dr Pepper/Snapple
Crest Cadillac

Sponsorship Information: Download Sponsorship Information here

Please check back for additional updates on the

2nd Annual 5k /10k /1 Mile Living For Zachary Heart Run