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Sudden Cardiac Death Can Be Avoided By Use of AEDs

Sudden Cardiac Death sometimes occurs from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, as in the case of Adrianna Guzzi, as reported in The Palm Beach Post.  This disease kills people of all ages, and the numbers are shocking.  One in 500 persons a year, or 600,000 nationwide, dies from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which is the leading cause of sudden cardiac death among young people  Athletes are especially prone to sudden cardiac death, with about one in 44,000 National Collegiate Athletic Association athletes losing a life to this disease each year. 

Two important steps to be taken to reduce these numbers among student athletes:
 - Mandatory medical testing prior to each school year; and
 - Emphasis on not only having AEDs (Automatic External Defibrillators) on site at every school and athletic facility, but also ensure that everyone involved with the activities knows where they are stored and can get immediate access to them when needed.

The public can help get action on these items by lobbying their legislatures to work to enact laws for the increase of mandatory medical testing and requirement of easily accessible AEDs in all public places.

For further information, contact the Huypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association and the American Heart Association.

In Boynton Beach, Florida, Patti Dunlap is a grateful parent.  Her then-15-year-old daughter, Claire, collapsed while celebrating a victory with her American Heritage softball team.  An off-duty firefighter used an AED to restart her heart and save her life.

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