Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) can happen unexpectedly, affecting children, teens and adults who may seem healthy just moments before collapsing. Through patient care, education and statewide partnerships, the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Pediatrics and Children’s of Alabama are working to improve awareness and preparedness across Alabama.
Sudden cardiac arrest is a sudden, life-threatening condition in which the heart stops beating after its normal electrical signals are disrupted. Without immediate intervention, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation, SCA can quickly become sudden cardiac death.
Austin Kane, M.D., assistant professor in the UAB Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Cardiology and co-director of Alabama LifeStart, treats children with heart rhythm disorders and supports families impacted by sudden cardiac arrest. As a pediatric cardiologist and electrophysiologist, Kane works with patients at risk for SCA, patients and families after a cardiac arrest or, in some cases, after the loss of a loved one.
“I care for patients who survive cardiac arrest and families who have lost someone to sudden cardiac death,” said Kane. “Those experiences make it clear how important it is to prepare communities, because we often don’t know who will be affected until it happens.”
Sudden cardiac arrest is not the same as a heart attack. During a heart attack, blood flow to the heart muscle is blocked. In SCA, an abnormal heart rhythm prevents the heart from pumping blood effectively.
“When cardiac arrest occurs, a person suddenly loses consciousness and becomes unresponsive,” said Kane. “In more than half of cases, it looks like a seizure, which can delay lifesaving care if people don’t recognize what’s happening.”
Knowing the signs can save a life
Recognizing the signs of SCA is critical to responding quickly. Survival rates decrease with each passing minute without intervention, but early CPR and use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) can significantly improve survival.
Common signs of sudden cardiac arrest:
- Sudden collapse
- Loss of consciousness
- Unresponsiveness
- Gasping breaths or absence of breathing
- No detectable pulse
- Seizure-like movements
If these signs are present, immediately call 911, begin CPR and use an AED if one is available. When CPR and an AED are used early, survival rates can increase to as much as 50%.
Building safer spaces across Alabama
Through collaboration with community partners, the UAB Department of Pediatrics and Children’s of Alabama support prevention efforts across the state. One such initiative is Alabama LifeStart, a program created by Children’s of Alabama, that equips schools across the state with AEDs and provides guidance to help create heart-safe campuses.
Since its launch in 2007, Alabama LifeStart has helped save at least three students’ lives and has provided approximately 400 schools with free AEDs, training devices and educational resources. More than 175 schools across Alabama have been designated “Heart Safe Schools”, reflecting their commitment to preparedness and emergency response.
School and community outreach remains a central focus. In settings such as schools, recreational centers and athletic facilities, a coach or staff member may be the only trained responder on site. In those moments, early action can be critical while waiting for emergency medical services to arrive.
“Having AEDs available to a victim of SCA within three to five minutes and knowing how to respond can save lives,” said Kane.
Statewide preparedness has also been strengthened through recent legislation. The 2024 Senator Tim Melson Act requires high school students to receive instruction and hands-on practice in CPR and AED use. The 2024 John Wesley Foster Act mandates schools develop and implement cardiac emergency response plans including emergency response teams, training in CPR and AED use and AED drills.
Why preparedness matters
Despite progress, Kane said SCA remains widely misunderstood.
“Many people assume cardiac arrest only happens to older adults,” said Kane. “But children and young people can be affected as well.”
Each year, more than 23,000 children experience cardiac arrest outside of the hospital, according to national data. Nearly 40% of pediatric cases are linked to sports and physical activity, underscoring the importance of education, early recognition and access to lifesaving tools in environments where children live, learn and play.
Family history is an important risk factor. Kane encourages families to seek medical evaluation if a close relative under age 40 experienced sudden cardiac arrest, sudden cardiac death, or death without an explanation.
For individuals and communities looking to take action, Kane emphasizes that lifesaving response does not require formal certification.
“A certificate doesn’t save a life,” said Kane. “Two hands pushing hard and fast on the chest can.”
Community members can support sudden cardiac death prevention by learning CPR, becoming familiar with AED locations and encouraging preparedness in schools and recreational spaces.
As Heart Health Month brings renewed focus to cardiovascular awareness, the UAB Department of Pediatrics and Children’s of Alabama continue their commitment to education, advocacy and prevention across Alabama.
“If there’s one message to remember,” said Kane, “it’s call 911, start chest compressions and use an AED. Call, push, shock.”