The American Heart Association is hosting a free webinar on Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 1 p.m. CT, to help youth sports coaches and league leaders prepare for cardiac emergencies. 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 players, according to a study cited by the association. The webinar aims to educate attendees on Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERPs) and safe play practices, reflecting the organization's commitment to improving emergency preparedness and advancing its Nation of Lifesavers™ movement, which seeks to double survival rates from cardiac arrest by 2030.
“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,” said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association. “Through our work with the NFL Foundation, we're helping equip coaches with the knowledge, resources and confidence they need to create safer environments for young athletes and their families.”
The webinar will cover the essential components of an effective CERP, including preparedness strategies, AED access, and emergency action protocols. Participants will learn the actions coaches and sports leaders should take before, during, and after a cardiac emergency, as well as how to apply safe play practices and available resources to protect athletes and build confidence among families and communities.
The American Heart Association is the worldwide leader in resuscitation science, education, and training, and publishes the official scientific guidelines for CPR. According to the association, 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 even triple a person’s chances of survival.
In 2023, the NFL launched the Smart Heart Sports Coalition in collaboration with founding members including the NBA, MLB, MLS, NHL, NCAA, the American Heart Association and others. The coalition advocates for all 50 states to adopt evidence-based public policies to prevent fatal outcomes from cardiac arrest among high school students. More than 23,000 children under the age of 18 experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital annually, and about 40% of those occur among student-athletes, according to the American Heart Association.
Advanced online registration is required for the webinar. To register, visit Heart of the Game Webinar. The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives, and has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, the organization funds groundbreaking research, advocates for public health, and provides critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke.
