FAQ

Yes. Sudden cardiac arrest can affect children and young people, and it is more common than most people realise. It usually happens because of an inherited heart condition that has not been identified — often because the child had no obvious symptoms beforehand.

Conditions that can cause cardiac arrest in children and teenagers include:

CPVT (Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia) — triggered by exercise or sudden fright, often presenting in the first two decades of life.

Long QT Syndrome — which can cause dangerous arrhythmias during exercise, swimming, or in response to sudden loud noise, and sometimes during sleep.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) — the most common inherited heart muscle condition, which can affect young people and is associated with exercise-triggered events.

ARVC (Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy) — a genetic condition that can affect young adults, particularly those who exercise regularly.

This is one reason why cardiac screening of young athletes, and the families of anyone who has experienced a young sudden death or been diagnosed with an inherited cardiac condition, is so important. If a child in your family has been diagnosed with an inherited heart condition, all first-degree relatives — including siblings — should be assessed by a specialist.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

The right answer depends on your child’s specific diagnosis, and you should always confirm restrictions with their cardiologist. That said, some common considerations apply across many inherited cardiac conditions.

Energy drinks and stimulants. Drinks high in caffeine or taurine — including most energy drinks — should be avoided by children with arrhythmia conditions. Caffeine raises heart rate and can provoke arrhythmias in susceptible individuals. This applies to strong coffee and some pre-workout supplements as well.

Swimming unsupervised. For conditions in which arrhythmias can be triggered by sudden immersion in cold water or exertion, particularly Long QT Syndrome type 1, swimming should always be supervised by someone who understands the diagnosis and can respond in an emergency. Your child should not swim alone.

Sudden loud noises. For some conditions, particularly Long QT Syndrome type 2, a sudden unexpected noise can trigger an arrhythmia. This is worth keeping in mind for alarm clocks, fireworks, and similar situations.

Competitive high-intensity sport. Whether this is restricted depends on the diagnosis and the individual. This should be discussed specifically with the cardiologist rather than assumed either way.

Fairground rides and extreme activities. High-adrenaline activities can trigger arrhythmias in conditions where the heart’s response to adrenaline is impaired. Ask the cardiologist specifically about these if they are relevant to your child’s lifestyle.

Gaming. Intense gaming can raise heart rate and adrenaline levels. There is limited evidence of specific risk for most conditions, but very prolonged, intense sessions are worth discussing with the cardiologist, particularly for conditions with adrenaline-related triggers.

Category: Sports

Long QT Syndrome (LQTS) is an inherited condition affecting the heart’s electrical system. It causes a prolonged QT interval on an ECG — a measurement of the time it takes the heart’s lower chambers to recharge between beats. When this interval is too long, the heart is vulnerable to a dangerous arrhythmia called Torsades de Pointes, which can degenerate into ventricular fibrillation and cause sudden cardiac arrest.

In children, LQTS most commonly presents through symptoms triggered by exercise, sudden loud noises, or emotional stress — all of which cause a surge of adrenaline that the heart’s electrical system cannot manage safely. Fainting during sport or in response to a shock is a warning sign that should always be investigated. In some cases, the first presentation is a cardiac arrest.

There are several genetic subtypes of LQTS, and the specific subtype influences both the triggers to avoid and the treatment approach. Beta-blockers are the mainstay of treatment for most types and are very effective at reducing risk when taken consistently. Some patients also require an ICD, particularly those who have already had a cardiac arrest or who have not responded adequately to medication.

Because LQTS is inherited, first-degree relatives — parents, siblings, and children of the affected person — should all be offered cardiac screening, including an ECG. Family screening is arranged through an inherited cardiac conditions (ICC) service. Ask your child’s cardiologist for a referral if this has not already been arranged.

Some medications can dangerously prolong the QT interval and must be avoided. A list of drugs to avoid is maintained at CredibleMeds.org. Always inform any prescribing clinician, dentist, or anaesthetist of the diagnosis before any medication is prescribed or procedure carried out.

Category: Children

Commotio cordis is sudden cardiac arrest caused by a blunt, non-penetrating blow to the chest — not by an underlying heart condition. The chest wall itself is intact, but the impact arrives at a precise moment in the heart’s electrical cycle, triggering ventricular fibrillation. It is almost always associated with sporting activities involving a fast-moving projectile, such as cricket, baseball, ice hockey, or lacrosse.

It most commonly affects young males in their teens and early twenties, whose chest walls are more compliant than those of adults, making the electrical disruption more likely. The heart does not need to be diseased or structurally abnormal for commotio cordis to occur — it can happen to any young person in the wrong circumstances.

Survival depends entirely on how quickly CPR and defibrillation are delivered. Without immediate intervention, commotio cordis is almost universally fatal. With rapid CPR and AED use, survival rates have improved significantly. This is why the presence of AEDs at sports venues and schools, and CPR training among coaches and sports staff, is particularly important in the context of youth sport.

If your child plays contact or projectile sports, it is worth confirming that coaches are trained in CPR and that an AED is accessible at the venue.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

Profound and often underestimated. Research consistently shows that parents of children who have experienced cardiac arrest are at high risk of PTSD, anxiety, and depression — often at rates comparable to those seen in the survivors themselves. This is true whether the child makes a full recovery or not, and whether the parent was present during the arrest or not.

Common experiences include intrusive memories or flashbacks of the event, hypervigilance about the child’s health and behaviour, difficulty sleeping, fear of the child being out of sight, guilt about whether something could have been done differently, and a persistent sense of dread that it will happen again. These are not signs of weakness — they are normal responses to an abnormal and terrifying event.

The impact on the family as a whole can be significant. Partners may cope differently and at different rates, which can create tension. Siblings may feel overlooked, frightened, or guilty. Family life can become organised around the cardiac condition in ways that, over time, are not sustainable or healthy for anyone.

Please do not wait until you are at crisis point before seeking help. Talk to your GP about a referral to NHS Talking Therapies or a clinical psychologist. Trauma-focused CBT and EMDR are both effective for PTSD. Peer support — speaking with other parents who have been through the same experience — can also be enormously helpful. SCA UK can help connect you with others in the community.

Category: Children

There is no single right approach, and it will depend on your child’s age, their temperament, and how much they already understand about what happened. What matters most is that the conversation is honest, age-appropriate, and leaves space for your child to ask questions — including ones you may not be able to answer.

Younger children often respond better to simple, concrete language. Explaining that their heart had a problem, that doctors fixed it, and that there is now something inside them to help keep it safe is usually enough to start with. Avoid medical jargon but do not be vague — children often sense when something is being withheld, and uncertainty can be more frightening than a clear explanation.

Older children and teenagers may have more complex reactions — anger, anxiety, grief about activities they fear losing, or concern about how they will be seen by friends. They may also research the condition online and encounter frightening information without context. Staying close to that process, and involving the cardiac team in conversations where helpful, can make a significant difference.

Siblings are often overlooked. They may have witnessed the event, may be frightened, and may feel that the family’s attention has shifted entirely to the affected child. A clinical psychologist experienced in paediatric cardiac conditions can help the whole family, not just the child who was ill. Ask your cardiac team for a referral.

Category: Children

This depends on the underlying condition rather than the ICD itself. Clinical thinking has shifted considerably in recent years away from blanket activity restrictions for young people with cardiac conditions, recognising that the physical and psychological benefits of exercise are significant and that unnecessarily restricting activity can do real harm to a child’s development and wellbeing.

Many children with ICDs can participate in recreational sport and even competitive sport, depending on their specific diagnosis and risk profile. Others may be advised to avoid high-intensity exertion or contact sports where a blow to the chest is possible. These decisions should be made by a specialist paediatric cardiologist with experience of exercise and inherited cardiac conditions — not by a GP or the school, and not by applying generic rules from the internet.

If your child’s cardiologist recommends restricting sport, it is reasonable to ask what the evidence base for that recommendation is, whether it applies to all sport or only certain types, and whether the guidance would change over time. A second opinion from a specialist inherited cardiac conditions (ICC) service may also be appropriate if you feel the advice is overly restrictive without clear justification.

Whatever is agreed, make sure the school and any sports coaches are aware of the plan and know what to do in an emergency.

Category: Children

Yes. Schools have a duty of care and cannot provide appropriate support if they do not know about a significant medical condition. Disclosing your child’s diagnosis means the school can put the right emergency procedures in place, ensure relevant staff are aware, and make any reasonable adjustments needed.

In practical terms, this means agreeing an individual health care plan (IHCP) with the school — a document that sets out your child’s condition, any medication, signs that something is wrong, what to do in an emergency, and who to contact. Schools are experienced in managing these plans and are legally required to support children with medical needs.

You should also confirm that at least one member of staff on site at any time knows about your child’s condition and is aware of the emergency plan. In secondary schools especially, where your child may not always be with the same teacher, it is worth thinking carefully about who holds that information.

What you share with other pupils and parents is your choice, and your child’s preference should guide that decision where possible. However, making sure the adults responsible for your child are fully informed is not optional — it could be life-saving.

Category: Practical Issues

Yes, most children with an ICD return to school, though the timing and any restrictions will depend on the underlying condition and your child’s recovery. Your child’s cardiologist will advise on when it is safe to return and what limitations, if any, apply.

Before your child goes back, it is important to meet with the school to share relevant medical information and agree an emergency plan. This should cover what to do if your child collapses, who is responsible for calling 999, whether a member of staff should be trained in CPR, and the location of the nearest AED. Schools in England are now required to have an AED on site.

Activity restrictions vary. Some children with ICDs can participate fully in PE and sports; others may need to avoid high-intensity or contact activities. This is a conversation to have with the cardiologist, not one to leave to the school to decide. A written medical summary from the cardiac team can be very helpful for the school to have on file.

It is also worth considering the emotional side of returning to school. Your child may feel anxious, self-conscious about the device, or worried about what peers will say. Speaking with a clinical psychologist before return, and giving your child some choice about what to share with classmates, can help significantly.

Category: Implantable Devices

Not always, but it depends on the underlying cause. If your child’s cardiac arrest was caused by a condition that creates ongoing risk of dangerous arrhythmias — such as Long QT Syndrome, HCM, CPVT, or Brugada Syndrome — an ICD is often recommended. If the arrest was caused by a fully reversible trigger with no ongoing risk, an ICD may not be necessary.

ICDs can be implanted in children and young people, including younger children, though the approach may differ from adult implantation. In smaller children a subcutaneous ICD (S-ICD), which sits under the skin without leads going into the heart, is sometimes preferred. The device and leads are also replaced as the child grows.

The decision will be made by a specialist paediatric cardiologist or electrophysiologist in discussion with you and, where age-appropriate, your child. It is reasonable to ask about the risks and benefits of implantation, the alternatives, and what monitoring would be needed if an ICD is not implanted.

If you have concerns about the recommendation, seeking a second opinion from another specialist centre is entirely reasonable and is something good clinical teams will support.

Category: Implantable Devices

Following a cardiac arrest, your child will be admitted to hospital — usually to a paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) — for monitoring, investigation, and stabilisation. The immediate priority is establishing why the arrest happened. This will typically involve an ECG, echocardiogram, blood tests, and possibly an MRI or genetic testing depending on the suspected cause.

If no reversible cause is found, your child’s team will discuss longer-term treatment options. In many cases this will include an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). The decision is made jointly between the cardiac team, your child (where age-appropriate), and you as parents or guardians.

Before discharge, you should expect a clear plan covering follow-up appointments, any medication prescribed, activity restrictions, what to do in an emergency, and who to contact with questions. If you do not receive this, ask for it explicitly — you are entitled to it.

The experience is profoundly distressing for parents and family members. Psychological support is available and you should not have to manage this alone. Ask your cardiac team for a referral to a clinical psychologist, and contact SCA UK to connect with other parents who have been through the same experience.

Category: Children

Yes. Whilst SCA in school-age children is rare, resuscitation attempts at schools are more likely to be made on an adult — a staff member or visitor — than a pupil. An AED on site provides potential benefit for everyone present, not just students.

Having a prominently located AED also means students become familiar with the equipment and can learn about resuscitation and defibrillation as part of first aid education — a benefit that extends well beyond the school gates.

Since September 2023, all state-funded schools in England have been required by law to have at least one AED on site. The Resuscitation Council UK guidance on defibrillators in schools provides detailed advice on placement, maintenance, and training. The Department for Education has also published guidance on AEDs in schools covering legal requirements and best practice.

Category: Defibrillators

Yes. The incidence of shockable rhythms requiring defibrillation in children is very low but can occur. The priority must always be for high-quality CPR and getting expert help. However, the AED can be used across all age groups if this is the only available machine.

The paediatric advanced life support Guidelines 2015 state that if using an AED on a child of less than eight years, a paediatric attenuated shock energy should be used if possible. 

Experience with the use of AEDs (preferably with dose attenuator) in children younger than one year is limited. The use of an AED is acceptable if no other option is available as, on balance, it is probably better to give a 50 J shock than nothing at all. The upper safe limit for dosage in this group is unknown.

Category: Defibrillators

Fortunately, out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in childhood is a rare event. Studies of OHCA in children and adolescents (excluding infants under one year old) report an incidence between 3 and 9 per 100,000 per year. The rates reported in infants are generally much higher (between 11 and 72 per 100,000 infants per year). The cause in this latter group is often attributed to the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

The incidence of cardiac arrest from a primarily cardiac cause (which includes cases referred to as “sudden cardiac arrest” or SCA) has been reported to be 2 – 3 per 100,000 per year in children and adolescents. SCA is more common in boys than girls, and more likely to occur during or just after sporting activity. 

Warning symptoms for future SCA may include previous episodes of collapse or near-collapse, dizziness, palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath or unexplained episodes of brief seizure-like activity. Such symptoms may not always be present, however, and can be difficult to interpret in the setting of sporting activity, where those participating may often be pushing themselves to the point of exhaustion. A family history of cardiovascular disease and unexplained death at a young age may also be highly relevant.

Survival rates of 1.9 – 11.1% following attempted resuscitation have been reported, with good neurological outcomes in many. Survival is more likely with witnessed events and a shockable rhythm on first ECG analysis – conditions often seen when an arrest occurs in a public location, like a school.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

The core principles of CPR – ventilation to provide breathing and chest compressions to support the circulation – apply equally to children and adults.

Many children do not receive CPR because potential rescuers are not sure if there are specific methods recommended for children, and are afraid of causing harm. This fear is unfounded; it is far better to use the adult CPR sequence for the resuscitation of a child than to do nothing. When performing chest compressions, compress the child’s chest by 1/3 to 1/2 of its depth – don’t be afraid to push hard.

Although slightly different techniques are taught to those people (particularly healthcare workers) who have special responsibilities for the care of children, the differences are not crucial, and it is far more important to do something using the techniques you have been taught.

Category: CPR

While there are a number of possible causes, three are particularly common in the UK. The first is Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), a genetic heart muscle condition in which the walls of the heart’s left ventricle become abnormally thickened. This can obstruct blood flow from the heart, causing loss of consciousness and a dangerous arrhythmia leading to cardiac arrest. The second is Long QT Syndrome, an often-unrecognised inherited condition affecting the heart’s electrical system that can predispose young people to life-threatening arrhythmias. Episodes are most commonly triggered by physical exertion or emotional stress. The third is commotio cordis, an electrical disturbance triggered by a sharp blow to the chest at a critical moment in the heart’s cycle. It can occur in contact sports such as football, cricket, rugby, and martial arts, as well as any situation involving a forceful blow to the chest.

Category: Cardiac Arrest