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1 in 100 Teens Are At Risk for Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Eric’s Foundation screens at his alma matter To mark 5th anniversary of student’s death
October 9, 2014 (Rancho San Diego)-- Five years ago, Eric Paredes joined the 7,000 U.S. kids who die every year when their heart unexpectedly stops beating due to Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), a syndrome that happens without warning, as it did for Eric—a healthy student athlete. To mark the fifth anniversary of his passing, the Eric Paredes Save A Life Foundation is hosting a free heart screening at Eric’s alma matter, Steele Canyon High School, on Sunday, November 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
SCA is fatal in 92 percent of cases. Young athletes are at 60% greater risk. But cardiac screenings can identify the heart abnormalities that lead to SCA.
“SCA is not a heart attack. It’s an abnormality in the heart’s electrical system that may be detected with a simple EKG,” said Hector and Rhina Paredes, founders of Eric’s Foundation. “Even though the first symptom of SCA could be death, screenings are not a part of youth health checkups or pre-participation sports physicals, which is why Eric’s Foundation provides free heart screenings to area teens.”
The November 2 event also features a Red Cross certified Teen Team that will demonstrate how easy it is to learn hands-only CPR and how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED), the only two life-saving measures once SCA strikes.
In the five years since Eric’s passing, the EP Save A Life Foundation has screened more than14,000 teens, finding 1 in 100 with a heart abnormality that unknowingly put them at risk for Sudden Cardiac Arrest. Parents can register teens for the free screening at EPSaveALife.org, where they download a screening packet, complete and bring to the event.
Screenings consist of a health history questionnaire completed by a parent, an electrocardiogram (EKG), and if indicated, an echocardiogram. It takes less than 30 minutes and is painless and non-invasive (no needles or x-ray exposure). Screenings are conducted by a 100-member volunteer team of San Diego cardiologists, nurses, techs and non-medical staff led by the foundation’s medical director, Dr. John Rogers, a Scripps cardiologist, who was recognized nationally by Parent Heart Watch as a 2014 Hero for Young Hearts and as a Healthcare Champion in San Diego.
Steele Canyon High School is located at 12440 Campo Road, Spring Valley, 91978. Jersey Mike’s Subs samples and a Free Sub Card are also available to screening participants while supplies last. Screened teens also get a free meal from The Kebab Shop, plus discounts at Sports Authority.
Established to honor the Steele Canyon High School teen who lost his life at 15 to SCA in 2009, Eric's Foundation strives to educate parents, educators, physicians and elected officials on the prevalence of SCA among teens and the importance of standardizing EKGs as part their regular health care because there are often no warning signs that a teen is at risk. Established in 2010, the non-profit foundation provides free cardiac screenings to teens, with the ultimate goal of standardizing cardiac screenings among our youth, and equipping our schools with readily accessible automated external defibrillators (AED) with CPR/AED training for students and staff. For more information, visit EPSaveALife.org.
Established by parents who have lost a child to SCA, Parent Heart Watch is a national network of parents, families and partners dedicated to reducing SCA in youth through information, education, advocacy, and implementation of nationwide programs. For more information visit ParentHeartWatch.org.
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