The American Heart Association is set to host a free one-hour webinar aimed at equipping youth sports coaches and league leaders with the tools to respond to cardiac emergencies. Scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 1 p.m. CT, the session will focus on Cardiac Emergency Response Plans and safe play practices, addressing a critical need as sudden cardiac arrest remains the leading cause of death for student-athletes nationwide. According to a study cited by the association, nearly 75% of cardiac arrest cases in young athletes occur during basketball, football, and soccer.
The webinar underscores the association's commitment to improving cardiac emergency preparedness and supports its Nation of Lifesavers movement, which seeks to double survival rates from cardiac arrest by 2030. Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association, emphasized the importance of preparedness: '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 association is collaborating with the NFL Foundation to provide coaches with the knowledge and confidence to create safer environments.
Participants in the webinar will learn the essential components of an effective Cardiac Emergency Response Plan, including preparedness strategies, AED access, and emergency action protocols. They will also identify actions to take before, during, and after a cardiac emergency, and apply safe play practices to protect athletes and build confidence among families and communities. The session is designed to be practical and actionable for youth sports leagues.
The American Heart Association is a global leader in resuscitation science and training, and it publishes the official scientific guidelines for CPR. The association notes that 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 chance of survival. In 2023, the NFL launched the Smart Heart Sports Coalition with founding members including the NBA, MLB, MLS, NHL, NCAA, and the American Heart Association. The coalition advocates for all 50 states to adopt evidence-based policies to prevent fatal outcomes from cardiac arrest among high school students. According to the association, more than 23,000 children under 18 experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital annually, and about 40% of those occur among student-athletes.
The webinar is free but requires advanced online registration. Interested individuals can register at the Heart of the Game Webinar page. By participating, coaches and league leaders can take a crucial step toward ensuring their programs are prepared for the unexpected, potentially saving lives.
