Prevention of Sudden Death Syndrome must look beyond AEDs
Cardiac Risk in the Young
Dr Steve Cox, Chief Executive of the charity, Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), responds to Lord Storey's call for AEDs in all schools.
AEDs should be available in public places. Any move to make AEDs more available in public spaces and to increase the training of young people in CPR and life saving skills will help to save lives.
However, whilst many young people will experience a cardiac arrest in public, it must be noted that 80% of deaths from SADS [sudden arrhythmic death syndrome] will have happened at rest or during sleep. This is why cardiac screening to identify conditions which can cause young sudden cardiac death is so important. AEDs, CPR, cardiac screening and more awareness of symptoms of cardiac disease are all essential parts of a national strategy for the prevention of YSCD.
MPs who want to support a national strategy to prevention of young sudden cardiac death should go to www.c-r-y.org.uk/my-pledge
