The American Heart Association is taking steps to address the leading cause of death among student-athletes by hosting a free webinar focused on cardiac emergency preparedness. Sudden cardiac arrest accounts for nearly 75% of cases among young athletes in basketball, football, and soccer, according to recent data. The webinar, scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 30 at 1 p.m. CT, aims to equip youth sports coaches and league leaders with the tools needed to respond effectively in a cardiac emergency.
The session will center on Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERPs) and safe play practices, reflecting the association's commitment to improving cardiac emergency preparedness. This initiative aligns with the Nation of Lifesavers™ movement, which seeks to double cardiac arrest survival rates by 2030 by empowering more individuals to act in emergencies. Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association, emphasized the importance of preparedness, stating, "Every athlete deserves to play in an environment that is prepared for the unexpected. When sudden cardiac arrest occurs, having a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan in place and people who know how to act can make the difference between life and death."
The webinar will provide practical guidance, covering the essential components of an effective CERP, including preparedness strategies, AED access, and emergency action protocols. Participants will also learn the actions coaches and sports leaders should take before, during, and after a cardiac emergency, as well as how to apply safe play practices and available resources. These efforts are part of a broader collaboration with the NFL Foundation to create safer environments for young athletes.
The importance of such training is underscored by statistics from the American Heart Association: roughly 9 out of 10 people who experience cardiac arrest outside a hospital do not survive, often because CPR is not started quickly enough. Immediate action can double or triple a person's chances of survival. Furthermore, more than 23,000 children under 18 experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital annually, with about 40% of those cases occurring among student-athletes.
In 2023, the NFL launched the Smart Heart Sports Coalition with founding members including the NBA, MLB, MLS, NHL, NCAA, the American Heart Association, and others. The coalition advocates for all 50 states to adopt evidence-based public policies to prevent fatal outcomes from cardiac arrest among high school students. This webinar is a step toward that goal, offering free training to those on the front lines of youth sports.
Advanced online registration is required for the webinar. To register, visit the Heart of the Game Webinar page.
