Would you like to learn more about sudden cardiac arrest, AED usage and engage medical professionals? Mark your Calendar: US Lacrosse/Cardiac Science Webinar – WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 2010. More information coming soon.
Sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death in the United States, taking the lives of more than an estimated 350,000 people each year -- more than lung cancer, breast cancer, and AIDS combined. Sudden cardiac arrest, which is not the same as a heart attack, occurs when the electrical system of the heart malfunctions, causing the heart to stop beating.
Sudden cardiac arrest is an indiscriminant killer and can strike anyone - including seemingly healthy young athletes. Between 25 and 33 percent of sudden cardiac arrest fatalities occur during sports activity.
One rare but potentially catastrophic phenomenon in athletes that results in sudden cardiac arrest is commotio cordis. Commotio cordis occurs when a blunt, but often relatively mild, blow to the area of the chest directly over the heart occurs during a precise moment of heart's cycle, leading to sudden cardiac arrest.
The most effective treatment for sudden cardiac arrest and, indeed, the only effective response to commotio cordis, is the timely delivery of a life-saving shock or defibrillation. Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are portable and easy-to-use devices that deliver potentially life-saving defibrillation therapy quickly and effectively. Tens of thousands of lives that would have otherwise been lost have been saved by AEDs.
Because commotio cordis is so rare, little is known about its cause. But US Lacrosse is playing a leading role in ongoing research and is committed to educating the national lacrosse community about the potential dangers of commotio cordis, as well as the life-saving value of having AEDs available during lacrosse games and practices.
In order to help achieve this goal, US Lacrosse has entered a strategic alliance with Cardiac Science, a leading manufacturer of AEDs, to provide greater educational resources and special AED pricing for US Lacrosse members.
In the box above, you will find a link that describes the AED model and special pricing that Cardiac Science is offering to US Lacrosse members.
Every team or program should consider the purchase of an AED in order to assure the safest possible environment for their players, coaches, officials and spectators. Quite simply, AEDs save lives.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
• Acompora Foundation: Louis J. Acompora Memorial Foundation. Special focus on AED's placement in schools nationwide.
• Sudden Cardiac Death In Athletes (by Jeffrey S. Mandak, M.D., F.A.C.C., F.A.C.P.)
• Commotio Cordis (by Dr. Vito A. Periello)
• Grass-roots AED Group Walks the Corridors of Power (USA Today, Feb 17, 2008)
• Timely AED Application Saves Florida Goalie's Life (CNN Video, Mar 10, 2008)
• AEDs Have Proven Their Worth (NBC News Video, April 25, 2008)
• Fans Revive Lacrosse Player (The News & Observer, April 25, 2008)
• We Saved a Life Today. So Could You (by Eric B. Laxer)
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