The American Heart Association is set to host a free one-hour webinar on Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 1 p.m. CT, designed to equip youth sports coaches and league leaders with the tools needed to respond to cardiac emergencies. This initiative underscores the organization's commitment to improving cardiac emergency preparedness and advancing its Nation of Lifesavers™ movement, which seeks to double cardiac arrest survival rates by 2030.
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, according to a 2023 study in Clinical Cardiology. Recognizing this urgent issue, the webinar will focus on Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERPs) and safe play practices, providing practical guidance for handling these critical situations.
Attendees will learn the essential components of an effective CERP, including preparedness strategies, AED access, and emergency action protocols. The session will also help participants identify actions to take before, during, and after a cardiac emergency, as well as apply safe play practices that protect athletes and build confidence among families and communities.
“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 American Heart Association is a 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.
The webinar is part of a broader effort, including the Smart Heart Sports Coalition, which was launched in 2023 by the NFL in collaboration with the NBA, MLB, MLS, NHL, NCAA, the American Heart Association, and others. The coalition advocates for all 50 states to adopt evidence-based public policies that prevent fatal outcomes from cardiac arrest among high school students. More than 23,000 children under 18 experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital annually, and about 40% of those occur among student-athletes.
Advanced online registration is required for this webinar. To register, visit Heart of the Game Webinar. 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.
