Cardiac Arrest in Young People

Given the recent events of athletes Damar Hamlin and Bronny James suffering from cardiac arrest, the heart condition seems to be affecting more and more young people. "Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops pumping oxygenated blood to the body, leading to loss of breathing and consciousness," said Kelvin Lau, M.D., a board-certified pediatric cardiologist at Pediatrix® Cardiology Associates. It's also worth noting that young people who experience cardiac arrest typically do not have symptoms or any other indications of an underlying heart condition, said Dr. Lau. "It is therefore essential that children and adolescents are regularly evaluated by their primary care doctors," he explained. "A single evaluation one year does not suffice, as heart conditions evolve and can manifest over time, which is why sports clearance is required annually by most schools.”

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