School News

 Since 2008, the American Heart Assn. has recommended a “hands only” approach to CPR, emphasizing the importance of performing rapid chest compressions on victims of sudden cardiac arrest.

Routine heart tests for student athletes would be affordable and potentially prevent the sudden deaths of young people who have previously undiagnosed heart problems, according to a study by Stanford researchers published today.

But many doctors, on learning of the findings Monday, said that doesn't necessarily mean the tests should become the norm. Heart screening in young people raises the possibility of false-positive results that could delay an athlete's career, and there are other ethical issues, they said.

DUBLIN–More than 1,000 young people from across Ireland were screened for signs of cardiac illness at a dedicated centre in Tallaght Hospital last year.

The National Centre for Cardiac Risk in Younger Persons provides screening and assessment for family members who have died suddenly from cardiac causes.

 JOHNS CREEK, GA- Chattahoochee High School students learned a few steps toward saving someone's life last week. More than two dozen students took part in CPR training and Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) use training with help from Johns Creek paramedics and fire department personnel.

The training is part of Johns Creek's ongoing Heart Ready program, which has several activities planned for the month of February, designated as American Heart Month by the American Heart Association.

The program, jointly sponsored by the American Heart Association and Emory Johns Creek Hospital, has trained more than 400 residents and businesses in CPR and the use of AEDs since the program's start in July 2008.

Join the SCA Foundation Team at the Pittsburgh Marathon on May 2nd

PITTSBURGH, PA--The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation will be participating as an Affiliate Charity Partner at this year's DIck's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon--the nation's third largest marathon--on May 2.

Runners who join our team--and their personal motivation to raise awareness about sudden cardiac arrest -- will be acknowledged on our website, with permission.  If you would like to run in in memory of a loved one lost to sudden cardiac arrest, or to honor the heroes who saved your loved one's life, this could be the race of a lifetime. We welcome your testimonials and photos.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation Urges Passage of H.B. 1803

Harrisburg, PA--The Pennsylvania House of Representatives Education Committee, chaired by  James R. Roebuck (D), and Paul Clymer (R), announced it will hear testimony regarding readiness for sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in schools across the Commonwealth on Wednesday, February 10th at 9:00 am at the Matthew Ryan Office Building in Harrisburg.

Due to inclement weather, the hearing has be postponed and will be rescheduled for a later date.

5,700 students will be trained annually to use Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)

ST. CATHARINES, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Feb. 5, 2010) - The Advanced Coronary Treatment (ACT) Foundation is thrilled to announce that as a result of a unique new partnership between ACT, the Government of Ontario, FirstOntario Credit Union, and Heart Niagara Inc., more than 5, 700 Niagara Region high school students in 30 schools will be trained each year on the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). This lifesaving training will help expand students' capacity to respond to cardiac emergencies beyond their CPR training.

LITTLE ROCK—The state’s largest school district is placing defibrillators at each of its 47 campuses. The Little Rock School District announced today it plans to place 82 of the devices, at least one at each school, depending on student population.

Tiffany Hoffman, spokeswoman for the 25,000-student district, said the defibrillators were purchase recently for $114,000 and more than 275 LRSD staff members have been trained in how to use them — a minimum of three and up to 12 staff members on each campus.

Last year, the Legislature approved a bill to put defibrillators in every public school in the state, funded by $1 million from proceeds of a tobacco tax hike.

However, the funding was eliminated when Gov. Mike Beebe reduced the current fiscal year’s budget by $100 million in the fall.

Findings convince them children throughout the state should be screened

In the U.S. there is a debate about whether young athletes should undergo mandatory screening before playing sports. But now, some doctors in Texas have come to believe that all children, athletes or not, should be screened.

Brandon Williams was only 13 years old when he suffered a fatal heart attack. Austin Sergeev was even younger - only 11 - when his heart stopped beating. Children as young as eight have experienced sudden cardiac arrest. In Italy, young athletes have a thorough medical exam that includes an electrocardiogram.

The program has reduced the number of incidents of sudden cardiac arrest, or heart attack, in these athletes.

NEW YORK, N.Y.– Rutgers women’s basketball will square off with SEC rival No. 4/3 Tennessee in the Maggie Dixon Classic this Sunday, Dec. 13 at Madison Square Garden. Tipoff is set for approximately 3:00 p.m.  Prior to the match-up, No. 6/6 Baylor and Boston College will square off at 1 p.m. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPNU.

This will be third-straight year that RU (7-4) has participated in the Maggie Dixon Classic. Rutgers faced Army in each of the previous two seasons. Last year, the Scarlet Knights defeated the Black Knights 59-38.