The Lead Podcast - Episode 109: A Discussion of Survival Outcomes after SCA in Young, Competitive Athletes in the US

Join us at Heart Rhythm 2025 for the discussion of this study. Between July 2014 and June 2023, researchers tracked 641 sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) incidents in U.S. athletes aged 11–29. Overall survival was 49%, rising to 57% during exercise, and reaching 70% in game/competition settings compared to 53% during practice. Survival rates improved significantly over the nine years, yet notable racial disparities persisted: Black athletes were 37% less likely, and athletes of other non-White races 31% less likely, to survive exertional SCAs than White athletes. The authors emphasize that while improvements in emergency preparedness (CPR/AED access) likely contributed to better outcomes, targeted efforts are needed to address equity and bolster response during practices and in under-resourced communities.

https://www.hrsonline.org/education/TheLead
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0735109725053379

Host Disclosure(s):

M. Middeldorp:
Nothing to disclose.

Contributor Disclosure(s):

E. Chung:
Nothing to disclose.

R. Lampert:
Nothing to disclose.