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Issues/Solutions

Parent Heart Watch Public Service Announcement

Parent Heart Watch, our national organization, has created two excellent public service announcements (PSA) that capture the primary issue - the loss of a young person's life from sudden cardiac arrest.

Please click on the link below to watch the Parent Heart Watch 2009 Public Service Announcement "A Heartbeat Away".

A Heartbeat Away

Please click on the link below to watch the Parent Heart Watch 2008 Public Service Announcement "Rewind".

Rewind - Parent Heart Watch PSA

Issues

  • ~3,000 young people die of sudden cardiac death (SCD) each year [Center for Disease Control, 1999 report].
  • Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the leading cause of SCD in young athletes.
  • Sports Pre-participation Physical Exams (PPE) do not normally include adequate investigation of the young athlete's family or personal cardiac history.
  • Brain death starts to occur in just 4 to 6 minutes following a SCA.
  • A victim's chances of survival are reduced by 7 to 10% with every minute that passes without treatment.
  • Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) are normally not readily accessible.  AEDs are normally brought by EMS personnel.
  • EMS personnel typically arrive within 9 minutes of call.
  • There is no national standard for PPEs or the associated form.
  • EKG and Echocardiograms are not part of a PPE.

Statistics

Solutions

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)

  • Have Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) more accessible.
    • Insure all EMS units have a working AED.
    • Place AEDs with other "first responders" - police, firefighters, etc.
    • Place AEDs in all schools.
    • Place AEDs in all public places.  For example, airports, train stations, bus stations, courthouses, shopping malls, etc.
    • Place AEDs in private businesses.
  • Have specific, written guidelines for storage and use of AEDs.
    • AEDs must be accessible at the facility, not locked away in an office.
    • AEDs must be at the athletic field, court or swim pool during an athletic event.
    • Multiple people must be trained in the use of AEDs.
  • Train the general public how to use AEDs.
    • Today's AEDs are easily operated by trained personnel.
    • Training is very easy.  It is combined with CPR training.  

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)

  • HCM can not be cured.  Therefore, early detection is critical so that treatment can begin.
  • Improved Preparticipation Physical Exams are neccessary
    • exams must include questions regarding family cardiac history
    • exams must include questions that investigte the students heart health
    • exam must include EKG and Echocardiogram for suspected HCM situation.
  • Educate parents, students, and medical personnel about HCM.