Education, Advocacy and Action for Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death in Student Athletes in American Samoa

Abstract

Background: Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) is one of the common causes of death in young athletes, especially during exercise, and it continues to be a challenge. Although the incidence of SCD among the aged is low, this problem has strong emotional and societal implications. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, and anomalous coronary arteries are all potentially fatal heart diseases that are frequently blamed for these types of tragic events when they are found at autopsy, and might be preventable with early recognition. Objectives: This review seeks to evaluate where we stand with SCD in the young athlete, determine the aetiology,  and suggest guidelines for diminishing its occurrence. This paper underscores the significance of pre-participation screenings, the availability of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), and formalised Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) in the mitigation of SCD risks, centring in particular on inadequate resources in areas such as American Samoa. Methods: A literature review of the past decade was conducted, including the databases PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The search also included findings related to the prevalence of SCD, risk factors, screening and prevention in youth athletes and public health accounts highlighting systemic inequities in specific locales. Results: SCD in young athletes occurs with a prevalence of 1 per 300,000 per year. Activities with high athletic risk profiles, like soccer and basketball, are particularly linked with SCD. Undiagnosed heart disease is the main aetiological factor, while ECG screening and AED availability demonstrate a better survival. But there is still inequity, particularly in underserved areas like American Samoa. Conclusion: Strategies, including widespread screening programs, availability of AEDs, and trained personnel, are required to decrease the prevalence of SCD. A combined approach toward detection and response is required in order to avoid preventable deaths in young sportsmen and sportswomen.