School football: Orlando doctors advocate for awareness of sudden cardiac arrest

As about 40,000 Florida teens begin practice for the high school football season, Orlando-area doctors are issuing an important reminder to parents and coaches: sudden cardiac arrest, although low in probability, remains the leading cause of death among young athletes.

Sudden cardiac arrest among athletes usually strikes without warning, as evident in the high-profile cases of Buffalo Bills’ defensive back Demar Hamlin and former college basketball player Bronny James, son of Lebron James. Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the heart stops suddenly due to a malfunctioning of its electrical system, explained Dr. Amber Teague, a pediatric emergency physician at HCA Florida Osceola Hospital.

"We don't want to frighten parents, as the incidence among teens is low, but we do want them to understand the warning signs to look for, particularly if there is a family history of heart disease," said Dr. Teague.

When the heart stops, it cuts off the blood supply to the brain and vital organs, creating a dangerous, life-threatening situation. Underlying, typically undiagnosed heart problems are the most common cause of sudden cardiac arrest in a young athlete.

Pediatricians advise players and their parents to inform their coach if your family has a prior history of heart-related conditions, fainting or seizures, especially during exercise. Parents and coaches should also be mindful of teens who say they are experiencing extreme fatigue, severe shortness of breath, lightheadedness, chest pain, severe nausea or dizziness. A proactive measure parents can take is scheduling a heart screening for their child, which should include a series of questions on the family’s heart history and may include an electrocardiogram. This painless procedure checks the heart’s rate and rhythm, blood pressure and electrical activity.

“As with other health conditions, awareness and early detection are key,” said Dr. Teague.

Last season, more than one million students at 15,810 high schools participated in high school football, according to the National Football Foundation. For additional tips on keeping your young athlete healthy, see our HCA Florida Healthcare Healthy Living blog.