Sudden cardiac arrest

Often, children and adolescents do not notify an adult about these symptoms. It is important to monitor those who have a congenital heart abnormality or are experiencing any signs and symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest.

If your child has any of the warning signs, they should be evaluated further by their primary care physician, with appropriate referral as indicated.

Primary prevention: early warning signs

Sudden cardiac arrest has warning signs and symptoms that can go unnoticed, including those of possible heart disease in a child or family. It is important to recognize the following:

• Fainting or near-fainting during or after exercise, emotion or surprise
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Extreme fatigue associated with exercise
• Extreme shortness of breath associated with exercise
• Discomfort, pain or pressure in chest during or after exercise
• Skipping or racing heartbeats
• High blood pressure
• Congenital heart abnormality
• Family history of sudden death prior to age 50 or known heart abnormalities

Not all episodes of sudden cardiac arrest are prevent¬able because many of the kids do not have symptoms until they have the episode. For this reason, secondary prevention strategies are important.

Secondary prevention: resuscitation

Children and adults who experience a sudden cardiac event with ventricular fibrillation can often be successfully treated with early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and rapid defibrillation with the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED).

The single greatest factor affecting survival is time. For every minute that passes without defibrillation, a victim's chance of survival decreases 10 percent. So, it's critical to act fast. Target goal: under 5 minutes from collapse to first shock (effective CPR immediately and until AED arrives). On average, it takes emergency services 6 to 12 minutes to arrive at the scene, but the brain can only wait 3 to 5 minutes.

Training in CPR, having an AED and an emergency action plan will have the potential to save the greatest number of lives with the most efficient use of school equipment and personnel.

For more information or for a free consultation, please contact Laura Friend, Project ADAM Texas program coordinator, at 682-885-6755 or laura.friend@cookchildrens.org.

Is your child's school heart safe?

Project Adam is a program that provides life-saving defibrillators to schools. In the event that a child or teen experiences sudden cardiac arrest - usually during participation in a sporting event - this equipment may save a child's life.

In order to assure that all schools have access to a defibrillator, Project ADAM needs your support. Please help ensure that Project ADAM can continue to provide life-saving assistance to schools by donating. For more information, please contact Laura Friend, Project ADAM Texas program coordinator, at 682-885-6755 or laura.friend@cookchildrens.org. Learn more about Project Adam and how your support can help save lives here.