Sudden Cardiac Death in Teens

Sudden cardiac death is particularly horrific because many of the underlying causes do not come with warning signs, making it difficult to treat. The Annals of Pediatric Cardiology suggests that because death generally occurs within one hour of an attack, parents should look into their family history and take their children for checkups before participating in any sport.

  1. Number of Cases

    • The number of sudden cardiac deaths that occur in teens and children varies from 0.6 and 6.2 per 100,000 people, according to the Annals of Pediatric Cardiology. Between 20 percent and 25 percent of these cases occur while the child is participating in a sporting event. This is much lower than the adult rates of sudden cardiac death, which is 135 per 100,000 people.

    Causes

    • A few factors can cause sudden cardiac death, starting with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This disease thickens the heart muscle, making it more difficult for blood to pump throughout the body. Although this is not fatal in most people, it is the No. 1 cause of cardiac death in young people, according to the Mayo Clinic, and it is often undetected until it is too late. Long QT syndrome is a genetic disorder that can also lead to cardiac arrest. This disorder can cause the heart to speed up and beat erratically. Coronary artery abnormalities can cause the arteries to compress as the teen exercises, which can prevent blood from reaching the heart.

    Risk Factors

    • It is important to look into family history because many heart problems are genetic. If the family has a history of sudden deaths related to the heart before the age of 50, the Mayo Clinic suggests paying close attention to the teen during exercise. If the teen ever faints during physical activities, it could also signal a heart problem. Additionally, shortness of breath or chest pains can occur before a cardiac episode, even if the teen has not been exercising.

    Screening and Prevention

    • Before competing in an athletic event, teens should undergo a complete medical examination. The doctor can check for signs of cardiovascular problems like high blood pressure, heart murmurs and Marfan syndrome, which hinders the growth of tissues that connects your organs, such as your heart, to the body. If the doctor finds any abnormalities, he can make recommendations based on his findings. The Annals of Pediatric Cardiology reports that increased CPR training and a wider availability of automatic external defibrillators could prevent about 25 percent of all sudden cardiac deaths in youths.

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