How much do you know about your child’s heart health? Can you recognize the signs of Sudden Cardiac Arrest? Do you know life’s Essential 8? If you are unsure of the answers to these important questions, we know someone who can help! Dr. Sean Connolly, a pediatric cardiologist in the division of cardiology at Nemours Children’s Health, sat down with ESF Camps to address these important topics in this edition of the “Fast Five.” 

We also invite you to join us for our free, upcoming webinar on Monday, February 24, 2025, from 6 pm to 7 pm: Caring For Your Child’s Heart: From Sports Safety to Lifelong Health

What does it mean for a child to have Heart health?

Heart health means prevention, preparedness, and Life’s Essential 8. To be considered ‘heart healthy’, your child has yearly well-child visits and age-appropriate screenings; your community is prepared to respond in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest; and you have ideal cardiovascular health through the essential 8 health factors and behaviors that have been shown to influence heart disease later in life.

What is the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest?

A heart attack is caused by blockage of the coronary arteries (the blood vessels that bring oxygen-rich blood to the muscle of the heart). This typically occurs in people over the age of 35 years and is more of a ‘plumbing’ problem. Cardiac arrest is when the heart muscle stops beating, often due to an ‘electrical’ malfunction. Unfortunately, cardiac arrest occurs in people of all ages.

What can I do to help save a life in the case of a cardiac arrest event?

Call. Push. Shock. These three words (and the actions they represent) can save a life. If an individual has cardiac arrest, anyone is able to call 9-1-1, perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and use an automated external defibrillator (AED).

How do I know if my child’s school or youth sports league is prepared to respond to a sudden cardiac arrest event?

Ask school nurses, coaches, or athletic directors if your child’s school or youth league has a cardiac emergency response plan (CERPS). Many organizations are eager to help schools and recreational leagues develop and maintain CERPs such as Project ADAM, the American Heart Association (AHA), and Parent Heart Watch.

What is Life’s Essential 8 and how important are each of these factors and behaviors to my child’s health now?

Life’s Essential 8 are the key measures for improving and maintaining cardiovascular health. This includes diet, physical activity, sleep, nicotine exposure, cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure, and BMI. These elements can be monitored and measured over time and, if maintained at ideal levels, can help you and your child ‘square the curve’ of normative aging.

Hear more from Dr. Connolly at tomorrow’s Webinar – Click here to RSVP!

ESF Camps & Experiences has spent 40+ years designing summer experiences that develop the whole child. Our programs are built in partnership with Nemours Children’s Health and grounded in pediatric research on resilience, social-emotional learning, and child development.