Cardiac Arrest In The Young

Cardiac arrest in young people is a leading cause of sudden death in individuals aged under 35. In the United Kingdom, 12 apparently healthy young people die every week due to undiagnosed heart conditions. Many of these cases involve no prior symptoms and occur during everyday activities such as rest, school or sport.

At Defib Supplies, we are proud to support Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), a UK charity working to prevent young sudden cardiac death through screening, research and support. This blog outlines why early detection and access to public defibrillators are critical in saving lives.

What Is Cardiac Arrest in Young People?

A sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the heart unexpectedly stops pumping blood due to an electrical fault. It is not the same as a heart attack and is often caused by underlying hereditary or structural conditions such as:

• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)

• Long QT syndrome

• Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC)

• Brugada syndrome

CRY reports that up to 80 percent of young people who suffer sudden cardiac death have shown no previous symptoms. Many are active, healthy and fit. This makes early cardiac screening a vital part of prevention.

The Importance of Cardiac Screening in Young People

Cardiac screening for young people identifies hidden heart abnormalities through a simple electrocardiogram (ECG) and, where necessary, an echocardiogram. These tests are non-invasive, quick and can be life saving.

CRY’s screening programme has tested over 300,000 young people in the UK. Of those tested, approximately one in every 300 has been diagnosed with a potentially life threatening condition. These individuals may have otherwise remained undiagnosed until a sudden cardiac arrest occurred.

To host a cardiac screening day, visit CRY’s booking platform at www.testmyheart.org.uk.

Why Defibrillators Are Essential in Cardiac Emergencies

When cardiac arrest strikes, time is critical. Every minute without treatment reduces survival chances by 10 percent. Immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) can increase survival rates from under 10 percent to over 70 percent.

An AED is a portable device that analyses heart rhythms and delivers a shock to restart the heart if necessary. AEDs are designed to be used by untrained bystanders and provide clear audio instructions. If you’re looking for a reliable and intuitive model, explore our in-depth guide to the ZOLL AED Plus® and how it supports confident emergency response.

We recommend placing defibrillators in schools, sports clubs and public venues. These are high-risk environments for young people where early access to a defibrillator could make the difference between life and death.

Explore our range of defibrillators for schools and sports clubs or speak to our team for advice.

Supporting CRY: Cardiac Risk in the Young

Cardiac Risk in the Young is one of the UK’s leading charities focused on reducing the frequency of young sudden cardiac death. Their work includes:

• Offering subsidised or free cardiac screenings to people aged 14 to 35

• Providing bereavement support to families affected by sudden cardiac death

• Funding medical research into inherited and structural heart conditions

• Developing clinical guidelines for ECG interpretation

• Training cardiologists and healthcare professionals in specialist screening

You can support CRY by donating, fundraising, or promoting their message across your community. For more information, visit www.c-r-y.org.uk.

Making Your Venue Heart Safe

To prevent cardiac arrest in young people, your organisation can take practical steps today:

• Book a screening day through CRY’s national programme

• Install a defibrillator in your school, gym, youth centre or community space

• Provide CPR and AED training for staff, students and volunteers

• Raise awareness by sharing educational materials and survivor stories

• Fundraise for CRY to help expand its outreach and screening services

We stock defibrillator prep kits and outdoor AED cabinets to make sure your equipment is always visible, accessible and ready for use.

Why Your Action Matters

Young people are not immune to cardiac arrest. The absence of symptoms does not mean the absence of risk. By supporting organisations like CRY and installing life saving defibrillators, we can help reduce the number of young lives lost.

At Defib Supplies, we believe that no community, school or sports facility should be without an AED. Contact us today to learn more about becoming a Heart Safe Location.

Explore our full product range and take the first step towards protecting your young people.