February is American Heart Month, a great time to recognize the importance of heart health at every stage of life.

This February also brings the Winter Olympics and marquee sporting events like the WM Phoenix Open, NFL Super Bowl and NBA All-Star Game. As professional athletes inspire with their strength and endurance, young athletes across Arizona lace up their shoes to take the field, court and track with dreams of their own.

These moments provide an important opportunity to talk about a serious and unexpected risk in youth sports: sudden cardiac arrest.

What is sudden cardiac arrest?

Sudden cardiac arrest occurs in roughly one in 50,000 to one in 80,000 young athletes each year, most often during or immediately after intense physical activity. Although this sounds rare, it remains the leading cause of death in student athletes. These events are especially devastating because they often occur in children and teens who appear outwardly healthy, active and strong.

Many young athletes who suffer sudden cardiac arrest have no prior diagnosis. Still, there are warning signs that should not be dismissed. Symptoms such as chest pain during exercise, unexplained shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting or near-fainting and a racing or irregular heartbeat with activity deserve immediate attention. Even if these occur infrequently, they should prompt further cardiac evaluation.

Equally important is knowing and sharing your family’s medical history with your provider. A child’s risk increases if there’s a family history of sudden death at a young age or known heart rhythm disorders — even several generations back. Comprehensive sports physicals, with honest reporting of symptoms and family history, are essential for protecting young athletes. Though waiting for test results before allowing a child to play and compete can be tough, it can ultimately save lives.

What happens in a youth cardiac evaluation?

When a child is referred for a cardiac evaluation, the process is thoughtful and tailored to uncover potential risks. It typically includes a review of medical and family history, measurement of vital signs such as blood pressure and heart rate, a focused physical exam and an electrocardiogram, also known as EKG. These evaluations help identify structural or electrical heart conditions that may otherwise go unnoticed. Further testing like an echocardiogram or exercise stress test may be recommended as needed.

What else should parents do?

Protection extends beyond the doctor’s office. Parents play a vital role in ensuring schools and sports organizations are prepared to respond to cardiac emergencies. Every practice and game should have a clear cardiac emergency response plan, including rapid recognition of cardiac arrest, immediate CPR by trained coaches or staff and quick access to an automated external defibrillator (AED).

If your school does not have an emergency action plan in place, nonprofit organizations such as Project Adam can help make schools heart safe at no cost. Phoenix Children’s serves as Arizona’s Project Adam affiliate site, offering guidance and support to schools across the state.

The importance of CPR training cannot be overstated. When cardiac arrest occurs, survival depends on what happens in the first few minutes before paramedics arrive. Performing CPR maintains blood flow to the brain and heart, buying precious time until defibrillation is possible. In youth sports, adults on the sidelines often serve as the first responders. A parent or coach trained in CPR can drastically increase the chances of survival.

AEDs are designed for use by non-medical professionals. They are safe, simple and provide clear voice instructions. In cases of sudden cardiac arrest, every minute without defibrillation reduces survival by approximately 10 percent. Delivering an AED shock within the first minute can increase survival rates as high as 90 percent. Keeping an AED nearby transforms a rare tragedy into a survivable emergency.

As families cheer on their favorite athletes, let this serve as a reminder that preparation and awareness save lives. Strong hearts are built not only through training and competition, but through vigilance, education and community action.