Sometimes even when you eat healthy, exercise, and wash your hands you can fall victim to health problems. And I mean literally. Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is the leading cause of death in the United States. Yes, you read that right. Each year over 400,000 people experience SCA, and 9 of 10 die.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest is not the same as a heart attack. SCA occurs when there is an abnormality in the hearts electrical system. This causes the blood to stop flowing to the heart, brain, and rest of the body.
What makes SCA such a deadly issue is that it often has little to no symptoms. Seemingly perfectly healthy people can experience SCA, including kids and teens. The Eric Paredes Save a Life Foundation was created in memory of Eric Paredes who died from SCA at the age of 15. Eric’s parents started the foundation to bring awareness to this issue, and help save young peoples lives.
Luckily, there are some measures that people can take to help diagnose a likely SCA victim before it happens. Electrocardiograms and Echocardiograms are tests that are used to measure electrical pulses and sound waves of the heart. Abnormalities can be detected and used to identify patients who are more likely to suffer a sudden cardiac arrest. These tests are not a part of annual physicals.
With the goal to prevent the deaths of young people, the EP Save A Life Foundation organizes free EKG (electrocardiogram) and ECHO (echocardiogram) screenings for teens. These screenings are free and possible with volunteers. Since 2010, the EP Save a Life Foundation has screened over 12,000 teens and has identified 1 in 100 at risk for SCA.
Athletes are 60% more likely to experience SCA. For us at Frundraise this is haunting. As we workout and train while supporting our favorite charities, it is scary to think that we are increasing our risk of SCA. We don’t think being fit and active should have any downsides, which is why we think it is a great idea to get screened for heart abnormalities.
The EP Save a Life Foundation is able to screen teens for free. With an average cost of $20 per screening, they rely on donations to help save lives. Frundraise allows athletes to fundraise for any charity they want as they train for an event.
Here is why you should sign up with Frundraise, log the miles you train, and support the Eric Paredes Save a Life Foundation:
- SCA is the leading cause of death in the United States.
- Screenings identify teens with heart abnormalities.
- The Foundation is fighting to have EKG scans be a part of annual physicals.
- Awareness will help to put Automatic External Defibrillators in more places.
- With just $20 you can help to save a life by identifying hidden symptoms with a free heart screening.
