When a student collapses at school, a heart attack may not be the first guess of teachers and staff. But quick emergency response can make the difference for thousands of youth.
That’s the impetus behind the HEARTS Act, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives this fall.
The legislation would provide grants for elementary and secondary schools to generate a response plan for cardiac emergencies. Grants would cover the purchase of automated external defibrillators, or AEDs, for schools, and training for staff and students.
That level of preparedness could save lives.
Empowering Schools to Take Action on Cardiac Safety
Every year, 23,000 children suffer cardiac arrest. One of the most common causes of sudden cardiac arrest is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a hereditary disease that thickens the muscles of the heart, restricting its ability to pump blood. Most cases of cardiac arrest due to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy are survivable, and the rates of survival can be increased through quick action.
When someone has a heart attack, bystander intervention can be crucial. Small studies have shown that being educated on CPR and AEDs within a community can improve the likelihood that bystanders will intervene – and that patient will survive.
With AED access and proper training, schools can empower teachers and staff to act quickly in emergencies, providing students with a safer environment. Under the HEARTS Act, funds also would be used to create cardiomyopathy education materials, awareness campaigns and risk assessment materials for schools, families and health departments.
The Link Between Youth Sports and Cardiac Arrest
Exertion in sports, which places extra strain on the circulatory system, is associated with 40% of cardiac incidents in young people. A heart attack may be the first indication a young person has of his or her hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The underdiagnosed condition impacts as many as one in 25 people.
Greater awareness of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, especially in sports programs, may help identify at-risk students and save lives if an emergency occurs.
When cardiac arrest strikes kids at school, the right training and tools may literally make the difference between life and death. The HEARTS Act is a step toward ensuring that students who suffer a heart attack, whether from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or another cause, can survive to complete their education, graduate and enjoy the full life that lies ahead of them.