• Each year in the United States, hundreds of young people die suddenly and unexpectedly due to cardiac arrhythmias.
• These conditions include Long QT Syndrome (LQTS), Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), Brugada Syndrome, etc.
• LQTS is now known to be 3 times more common in the US than childhood leukemia.
• HCM is the most common cause of sudden cardiac death in people under 35.
• Most cardiac problems that may cause sudden death in the young can be diagnosed and treated.
• With treatment, people with these conditions can have normal, productive lives.
• Most sudden cardiac deaths in children are due to hereditary conditions—so every family member should be tested.

• Family history of unexpected, unexplained sudden death in a young person (under 40), including sudden drowning and single car accidents
• Fainting (syncope) or seizures during exercise (or right after exercise), excitement or being startled
• Consistent or unusual chest pain and/or shortness of breath during exercise
• Ask your school or child’s sports association to make this questionnaire a mandatory for all kids before they participate in any active sport.

For more information and to provide your support to the SADS Foundation, please visit their website: http://www.sads.org