The American Heart Association announced a free webinar scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 1 p.m. CT, aimed at helping 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. The one-hour session will focus on Cardiac Emergency Response Plans 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 teach attendees how to strengthen emergency preparedness within their leagues by covering the essential components of an effective Cardiac Emergency Response Plan, including preparedness strategies, AED access, and emergency action protocols. Participants will also learn the actions coaches and sports leaders should take before, during, and after a cardiac emergency, as well as apply safe play practices and available resources that help 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. 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, making preparedness in youth sports critical.
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 is actively advocating for all 50 states to adopt evidence-based public policies that will prevent fatal outcomes from cardiac arrest among high school students. This webinar aligns with those efforts by providing actionable training to those on the front lines of youth sports.
Advanced online registration is required for the webinar. Interested individuals can register at the Heart of the Game Webinar page. The American Heart Association, supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, continues to fund groundbreaking research, advocate for public health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke.
