Know the facts about Sudden Cardiac Awareness

SCA is the leading cause of death in student athletes, that is a fact. Reports show every year 10,000 young people die from SCA.  Many appear healthy and have no known family history of heart-related illness. Although medical tests can detect the presence of heart concerns, many insurance companies generally do not cover their costs without the presence of symptoms or a family history of heart problems and many times if there are none, parent's do not pursue the test.

Typically, SCA symptoms are silent until it is too late. As a result, screening is critical to prevention. An echocardiogram can detect the potential for SCA with 99% accuracy and many of the problems detected can be treated or corrected. For this reason it is essential that screening be done at an early age.
Warning signs and symptoms of SCA: 
• Family history of unexpected sudden death during physical activity or during a seizure, or any other unexplained sudden death of an otherwise healthy family member under age 50  
• Unexplained fainting or seizures 
• Fainting of seizure during or after physical activity
• Fainting or seizure resulting from emotional excitement, distress or startle
• Chest pain or discomfort/ racing heartbeat • Dizziness/ lightheadedness during or after physical activity 
• Family history of heart disease
• Unusual shortness of breath
• Unusual fatigue/tiredness

If you are someone you love are having any of these signs or symptoms, please do not delay. Contact a physician today and don't wait! Prevention is the most important thing and a heart screening will tell if there is some underlying condition.