The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation is dedicated to bringing you the latest news and developments in sudden cardiac arrest prevention and treatment.

NFL founds coalition to advance adoption of life-saving policies for student athletes

The Smart Heart Sports Coalition launches nationwide campaign to prevent death from sudden cardiac arrest among high school athletes. Professional Sports and Leading Public Health, Nonprofit and Patient Advocacy Organizations will advocate state adoption of best practice medical emergency policies  NFL Foundation commits $1 million in grants to… Read More

Women are more likely to experience long-term anxiety after cardiac arrest than men

More than 40% of women report anxiety four months after a cardiac arrest compared with 23% of men. MARSEILLE, FRANCE – More than 40% of women report anxiety four months after a cardiac arrest compared with 23% of men, according to research presented today at ESC Acute CardioVascular Care 2023, a scientific congress of the European Society of… Read More

From survival to survivorship: The Cardiac Arrest Survivor Alliance

The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation has launched a novel online community for people affected by sudden cardiac arrest—the Cardiac Arrest Survivor AllianceTM. CASA is a home for patients, families, friends, caregivers, and advocates. The community offers peer support, evidence-based information, monthly webinars, and access to experts—all… Read More

Cardiac risks appear low for elite athletes with diagnosed, treated genetic heart disease

Analysis finds most athletes had no cardiac events over seven years, underscoring importance of shared decision-making Ninety-five percent of athletes with a diagnosed and treated genetic heart disease experienced no disease-triggered cardiac events, such as cardiogenic fainting or seizures, implantable cardio-defibrillator (ICD) shocks, sudden… Read More

Vigorous exercise not associated with increased risk of arrhythmic events in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Findings do not support traditional advice to avoid vigorous exercise People with the inherited heart condition hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) who exercised vigorously did not have an increased incidence of serious cardiac events during three years of follow-up compared with people who exercised moderately or were inactive, according to a… Read More

Take it from 2 runners whose hearts stopped during the same race: A heart-healthy lifestyle is best

Michael and Danuta Heilemann were approaching the 3-mile mark of the Monterey Bay Half Marathon when they heard the siren. The noise kept getting louder, so they knew it was headed their way. The Heilemanns were still running when they saw an ambulance pull over ahead of them. Then they saw the reason paramedics were needed. A runner was on the… Read More

His heart stopped on a treadmill at the gym. His wife gave him CPR.

Mark Wangrin and his wife, Barbara, put on their athletic gear and drove to their Austin, Texas, fitness center for an early morning Sunday workout. Mark hopped on treadmill No. 1. Barbara climbed onto a nearby rower. Then she switched to weights. While running, Mark glanced at the digital board in the front of the room that tracked people's… Read More

Can smart watches and other fitness and wellness trackers do more harm than good for some people? 

Certain wearable gadgets have the potential to interfere with pacemakers and other implanted cardiac electronic devices, according to a new study in Heart Rhythm  PHILADELPHIA--In recent years, wearable devices such as smart watches and rings, as well as smart scales, have become ubiquitous – “must-haves” for the health conscious to self-monitor… Read More

Medtronic receives CE Mark for extravascular defibrillator system that treats abnormal heart rhythms

DUBLIN -- Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT) has received CE (Conformité Européenne) Mark for the Aurora EV-ICD™ MRI SureScan™ (Extravascular Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator) and Epsila EV™ MRI SureScan™ defibrillation lead to treat dangerously fast heart rhythms that can lead to sudden cardiac arrest. The Aurora EV-ICD system provides the life-… Read More

CPR: A gift of minutes that could extend a lifetime

A person's chance of surviving cardiac arrest is significantly higher if a bystander calls 911 and applies chest compressions. In a hospital conference room, Dr. Peter Kudenchuk is on his knees as he demonstrates forceful chest compressions on “Annie,” a CPR manikin. “One and two and three and four,” he calls out repeatedly, maintaining a cadence… Read More