Could Your Child Be at Risk for Sudden Cardiac Arrest? Warning Signs Every Parent Should Know

The stories appear in the news more often than they should: a teenager collapses during gym class or a young athlete goes down on the court. No warning, no obvious signs. For parents, these tragedies raise one urgent question: Could this happen to my child?

Although sudden cardiac arrest is still very rare, it’s important that parents and caregivers understand the risks. Many cases of sudden cardiac arrest can be prevented through early detection and intervention, if caught early enough. Our pediatric cardiology experts, Dr. Stuart Berger and Dr. Michael Carr, explain what every parent should know about sudden cardiac arrest in children, including warning signs, family risk factors and more. 

Why Early Detection Matters

Sudden cardiac arrest is often confused with a heart attack, but they're different. A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked and is very uncommon in children. Cardiac arrest is when the heart stops beating entirely. In young people, it usually traces back to a heart condition they were born with that likely went unnoticed. There are multiple causes/conditions. 

The good news is that most of these conditions are very treatable when caught early,  whether that's medication, a surgical procedure depending on the findings, or a small implanted device. 

There's also reason for hope if the worst does occur. When sudden cardiac arrest strikes a child or teen, having comprehensive emergency action plans in place, along with trained staff and bystanders who can perform CPR and use an AED, can mean the difference between life and death. Ensuring widespread CPR and AED education in schools, sports facilities, and community spaces, can help create a safety net that empowers everyone to become a potential lifesaver in those critical moments. 

Know the Warning Signs

Many parents assume that if their child has an undiagnosed heart condition, they'd know it. Unfortunately, that's not always true. Some of these conditions cause no symptoms until a life-threatening event occurs. However, there are warning signs that, when present, should never be ignored.

Physical Symptoms During Exercise 

• Chest pain or pressure during activity (not the same as a stitch or sharp pain in the side) 
• Fainting or near-fainting especially during physical activity, especially during exertion–this is a particularly concerning symptom  
• Unusual shortness of breath or fatigue that seems excessive compared to teammates 
• Racing, fluttering, or irregular heartbeat during or after exercise 
• Dizziness or lightheadedness during physical activity 

However, it is important to remember that after evaluation, many patients with these symptoms will be found to have normal hearts.

Genetic Factors to Consider  

Family history is one of the biggest risk factors. Your child may be at higher risk if there is:

• A family history of sudden cardiac or sudden unexplained death before age 50 
• Close relatives with diagnosed heart conditions like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, long QT syndrome, or arrhythmias 
• Multiple family members who have experienced unexplained fainting 
• Known genetic cardiac conditions running in the family which can predispose to cardiac conditions 

If any of these apply to your family, bring it up with your child's doctor and ask about a cardiac evaluation.  

Limitations of Routine Sports Physicals 

The sports physical exam most schools require is a good first step. But standard physicals don't always catch underlying heart conditions that can lead to sudden cardiac arrest.

If your child has any of the symptoms or family history mentioned above, ask their doctor for a more thorough cardiac evaluation. At Lurie Children's, our Heart Center specialists use their expertise to determine if further cardiac testing is warranted and have access to advanced diagnostic technology to identify conditions that can be difficult to detect.

Steps Parents Can Take

According to the American Heart Association, male athletes are about four times more likely to experience sudden cardiac arrest than female athletes, although female athletes are not without risk, with the highest risk in sports like basketball, football and soccer. But, no sport is without risks, and there are steps every parent can take, no matter what their child plays:  

1. Don't dismiss symptoms. If your teen/child complains of chest pain, fainting, or unusual fatigue during sports, trust your instincts and schedule a doctor's visit. 
2. Know your family history. Document any cardiac conditions or sudden deaths in close relatives and share this with your pediatrician. 
3. Learn CPR and know where AEDs are located at your child's school and athletic facilities. Quick action can be the difference between life and death . 
4. Advocate for emergency preparedness at your school. Ensure coaches and staff are CPR-trained and that emergency action plans are in place. Learn more about Project ADAM. We can help you and your school to become a heart safe school/community. 

While emergency preparedness saves lives in the moment, preventing sudden cardiac arrest before it happens is equally critical. Regular cardiac screenings during well-child visits, thorough family history assessments and vigilant attention to warning signs like unexplained fainting, chest pain during exercise or irregular heartbeats allow primary care providers to identify at-risk children and teens early. 

Talk to your child's pediatrician about their cardiac health, especially if there's a family history of heart disease or if your child has experienced any concerning symptoms during physical activity. 

Visit our Heart Center or learn more about sudden cardiac arrest prevention and treatment. 

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