If you have been familiar with Living for Zachary for any length of time, you have undoubtedly heard the term “Sudden Cardiac Arrest”, or SCA, used frequently. Have you ever wondered why Living for Zachary never seems to mention heart attacks? That’s because they are COMPLETELY different things!
Parents whose children have suffered from SCA tell us repeatedly that one big piece of information they lacked prior to this life-changing experience was that SCA and heart attacks are caused by separate issues in the heart. Now, you may be thinking: “Well, my child lives an active and healthy lifestyle! I don’t need to worry about SCA.” Unfortunately, this isn’t the case.
Image by the American Heart Association
While a heart attack occurs as the result of a blocked artery in the heart (which can be caused by anything from genetics to poor diet), SCA occurs as the result of an electrical malfunction in the heart.[1] This electrical malfunction can stem from heart abnormalities a person is born with or develops as a child and teen.[2] During SCA, the heart unexpectedly stops beating, typically with little or no warning. As blood flow to vital organs stops, the sufferer becomes unconscious and will die within minutes if not treated.[3]
What does this all mean? It means that while a healthy lifestyle, diet, and regular checkups are beneficial to a child’s health, they are NOT enough to prevent SCA. In Living for Zachary’s work with countless parents who have lost children to SCA, we are told time and time again of active, seemingly healthy teenagers who never showed any symptoms of heart issues—until it was too late.
The “Living for Zachary Heart Screening” combines an Electrocardiogram, limited 2-D Echocardiogram, blood pressure screening and SCA Risk Health Questionnaire for a unique screening program that goes beyond the stethoscope to help detect heart abnormalities that may lead to SCA in youth ages 12-22. All screenings are reviewed and interpreted by a board-certified cardiologist.
Living for Zachary partners with Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital—Plano and Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital—Denton to bring FREE heart screenings to the community. To check out when our next screening takes place and reserve your spot, visit our Events Page. Unable to make it to one of our free screening events? Visit our Heart Screenings Page to see how you can schedule a Living for Zachary Screening at a time convenient to you.
