The American Heart Association (AHA) announced it will host a free one-hour webinar on Wednesday, September 30, at 1 p.m. CT, designed to equip youth sports coaches and league leaders with the tools to respond to sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). The initiative underscores the AHA's commitment to improving cardiac emergency preparedness and supports its Nation of Lifesavers™ movement, which targets doubling cardiac arrest survival rates by 2030.
Sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death for student-athletes nationwide, with nearly 75% of cases among young athletes occurring in basketball, football, and soccer, according to a study cited in the announcement. The webinar will focus on Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERPs) and safe play practices, providing attendees with strategies to prepare for and respond to cardiac emergencies.
“Every athlete deserves to play in an environment that is prepared for the unexpected,” said Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association. “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.” Brown highlighted the AHA's collaboration with the NFL Foundation, which helps coaches create safer environments for young athletes.
During the session, participants will learn the essential components of an effective CERP, including preparedness strategies, AED access, and emergency action protocols. They will also identify the actions coaches and sports leaders should take before, during, and after a cardiac emergency, and apply safe play practices that protect athletes and build confidence among families and communities.
The importance of such training is underscored by statistics from the AHA: roughly 9 out of 10 people who experience cardiac arrest outside a hospital do not survive, often because CPR is not started quickly enough. Acting immediately can double or triple a person's chances of survival. Additionally, more than 23,000 children under 18 experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital annually, with about 40% occurring among student-athletes.
The webinar is part of a broader effort, including the Smart Heart Sports Coalition, launched in 2023 by the NFL with founding members like the NBA, MLB, MLS, NHL, NCAA, and the American Heart Association. The coalition advocates for all 50 states to adopt evidence-based public policies to prevent fatal outcomes from cardiac arrest among high school students.
Advanced online registration is required for the webinar. Interested individuals can register at the Heart of the Game Webinar page. The AHA, a leading source of health information for over a century, continues to fund research, advocate for public health, and provide resources to save lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke.
