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 sudden cardiac arrest, which remains the leading cause of death among student-athletes nationwide. Nearly 75% of cardiac arrest cases in young athletes occur in basketball, football, and soccer, according to a study published in Clinical Cardiology [source]. The webinar is part of the association's Nation of Lifesavers™ movement, which aims to double cardiac arrest survival rates 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 session will cover the essential components of an effective Cardiac Emergency Response Plan, including preparedness strategies, AED access, and emergency action protocols. Participants will learn what actions to take before, during, and after a cardiac emergency, and how to apply safe play practices to protect athletes. The webinar aims to build confidence among families and communities by ensuring that youth sports environments are prepared for unexpected medical crises.
The American Heart Association is a global leader in resuscitation science and training, publishing the official 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. Immediate action can double or triple a person's chances of survival. This training is critical, as more than 23,000 children under 18 experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital each year, with about 40% of those occurring among student-athletes.
The webinar aligns with the Smart Heart Sports Coalition, launched in 2023 by the NFL and founding members including the NBA, MLB, MLS, NHL, NCAA, and the American Heart Association. The coalition advocates for all 50 states to adopt evidence-based public policies to prevent fatal outcomes from cardiac arrest among high school students. By equipping youth sports leaders with the tools to respond effectively, the American Heart Association and its partners are working to create safer environments for young athletes nationwide.
Advanced online registration is required to attend the webinar. Interested individuals can register at the Heart of the Game Webinar page.
