The Heart of the Matter

February marks American Heart Month, and allows an opportunity to reflect on the heart healthy choices we are currently making and reevaluate some of the things we can do better, such as eating right, getting enough exercise and effectively managing stress.

 Aside from these important habits, another aspect of heart health is familiarizing yourself with Sudden Cardiac Arrest, a condition that has gained more attention over the last few years, even among youth athletes and those who wouldn’t normally consider themselves at risk for heart problems.

What is Sudden Cardiac Arrest?

 Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) occurs when the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating, cutting off blood flow to the brain and other vital organs.  Sudden Cardiac Arrest is fatal if not treated immediately, most commonly through the use of a defibrillator.

 What is Lindsay’s Law?

 In 2017, the State of Ohio put a new ordinance into effect that has a direct impact on the youth sports community. Lindsay’s Law requires coaches, parents and young athletes to review guidelines and other relevant materials to educate themselves about the nature and warning signs of Sudden Cardiac Arrest, which is the leading cause of death in student athletes 19 years of age and younger.

 Who is Lindsay?

 Senate Bill 252 is named for national heart health advocate and former Miss Ohio, Lindsay Davis, who suffers from a heart condition and has since dedicated her career to raising awareness of this potentially fatal condition. “Sudden cardiac arrest is the number one killer of student athletes,” said Davis. “At any moment I could have died because coaches and teachers had no idea this was even a possibility for someone who looked as healthy as I did at that age.”

 For more information, check out the Ohio Department of Health’s website, which provides a multitude of resources on the topic, including but not limited to: