Eric Paredes Save A Life Foundation
Eric Paredes Save A Life Foundation
  • About
    • About Us
    • Testimonials
    • Board/Staff
    • News
  • Programs
    • What We Do
    • Free Heart Screenings
    • AED Program
    • CME/CNE
    • Smart Hearts
  • Get Screened
  • Volunteer
  • Get Educated
    • What is SCA
    • SCA Prevention Training
    • Heart Health During COVID-19
    • Take A Heart Quiz
    • SCA vs Heart Attack
    • Myths Vs. Facts
    • Take a Cardiac Risk Assessment
    • CPR and AEDs
    • Stayin’ Alive with CPR
    • How to Use an AED
    • Cardiac Emergency Response Plan
  • Resources
    • SCA Prevention Training
    • Host a Screening
    • SCA Prevention Toolkit
    • Videos
    • Jon Dorenbos Video
    • Cardiac Emergency Response Plan
    • Find A Doctor
    • Support For Youth At Risk
  • SCA Law
    • Overview
    • SCA Prevention Training
    • AB 1639
    • AB 379
    • AB 2009
    • SCA Prevention Toolkit
    • History
    • CIF
  • Donate
    • How to Donate
    • Sponsor a Screening
  • 5K
  • Contact

Heart Health During COVID-19

Especially with early data suggesting COVID-19 exposure can impact your heart, it’s important to stay tuned to your youth’s heart health.

Don’t Skip PPEs

Student athletes need an annual physical to be sure their heart is ready to play. Sports physicals (PPEs) are a long-established standard of care recommended by medical, education and sports communities, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM). Before they return to their sports teams, be sure to visit your medical practitioner and ask for a comprehensive cardiac risk assessment as part of the physical.

Recommendations for Youth Exposed to COVID-19

Published by AMSSM and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), Cardiopulmonary Considerations for High School Student-Athletes During the COVID-19 Pandemic is a new guidance statement that addresses the recommended evaluation of high school student-athletes who have had COVID-19 exposure, symptoms or a diagnosis.

 

Recommendations range from taking a comprehensive cardiac risk assessment, which can include an electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, x-ray, CT or MRI, to consulting with a cardiology specialist to evaluate potential heart disorders that can lead to sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). The statement also reaffirmed that every organization should have a well-rehearsed cardiac emergency action plan for every sport, at every venue, to facilitate a coordinated and efficient response to SCA.

View the full AMSSM and NFHS recommendations for comprehensive risk assessment of COVID-affected youth.
 

Return to Sports During COVID

The American Academy of Pediatrics has published a Safety Checklist for youth participating in sports during COVID and Understanding the Risks of youth participation in various sports environments. Find more interim guidance during COVID-19 here.

See updated recommendations on ECGs for youth exposed to COVID.

Cardiac Risk Assessment Resources

SCA is the #1 killer of student athletes and the leading cause of death on school campuses. Given studies show 1 in 300 youth has an undetected heart condition that puts them at risk, best practice is to inventory risk factors and warning signs at home and review them with your doctor annually, or when changes occur.

There are several tools you can use to protect young hearts.

Know warning signs and family risk factors

Identify them by using:
• Cardiac Risk Assessment Form
English/Spanish

• PPE Monograph 5th Edition

Use our free resources to learn more about SCA in youth.

© 2021 Eric Paredes Save A Life Foundation

  • Get Screened
  • Donate
  • Volunteer
  • Contact
  • Sitemap
  • Sign Up For Our Newsletter
Top