American Heart Association Webinar Prepares Texas Youth Sports Leaders for Cardiac Emergencies

The American Heart Association is hosting a free one-hour webinar on Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 1 p.m. CT, aimed at equipping youth sports coaches and league leaders with essential tools to respond to cardiac emergencies. With sudden cardiac arrest being the leading cause of death for student-athletes nationwide, and nearly 75% of cases occurring in basketball, football, and soccer players, the webinar will focus on implementing Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERPs) and safe play practices to protect young athletes.

The initiative underscores the association's commitment to improving cardiac emergency preparedness and aligns with its Nation of Lifesavers™ movement, which seeks to double survival rates from cardiac arrest by 2030. Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association, emphasized the critical nature of preparedness: "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." The association is collaborating with the NFL Foundation to provide coaches with the knowledge and confidence to create safer sports environments.

Attendees will learn the essential components of an effective CERP, including preparedness strategies, automated external defibrillator (AED) access, and emergency action protocols. The session will also cover actions to take before, during, and after a cardiac emergency, as well as safe play practices and available resources to build confidence among families and communities.

The importance of such training is underscored by stark statistics: approximately 9 out of 10 people who experience cardiac arrest outside a hospital do not survive, often due to delayed CPR. Immediate action can double or triple a person's chance of survival. More than 23,000 children under 18 experience cardiac arrest outside a hospital annually, with about 40% occurring among student-athletes.

The webinar is part of broader efforts, including the Smart Heart Sports Coalition, launched in 2023 by the NFL with founding members such as the NBA, MLB, MLS, NHL, NCAA, and the American Heart Association. The coalition advocates for all 50 states to adopt evidence-based policies to prevent fatal outcomes from cardiac arrest in high school sports.

For youth sports organizations in Texas, this webinar offers a vital opportunity to enhance safety protocols and ensure that coaches are prepared to act swiftly in an emergency, potentially saving lives. Advanced registration is required, and interested parties can sign up at the [Heart of the Game Webinar](https://www.heart.org/en/affiliates/texas/heart-of-the-game-webinar?utm_source=NEWMEDIAWIRE&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=heartofthegame) page. As the leading source of resuscitation science and training, the American Heart Association continues to provide critical resources to safeguard young athletes across the state and the nation.