Sudden cardiac death among athletes: Enhancing awareness and readiness among physical education and sports personnel

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) in athletes, while uncommon, is a serious and often fatal event that can occur unexpectedly during physical activity. It is most often caused by underlying heart conditions—such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or arrhythmias in younger athletes, and coronary artery disease in older athletes. Although survival is possible with prompt use of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillators (AEDs), many institutions lack adequate preparedness, and many professionals in the field are not trained to respond effectively. Physical education teachers, fitness experts, coaches, and other sports personnel are frequently the first to witness such emergencies and therefore play a crucial role in both prevention and response. Despite this, studies show that CPR/AED training among these groups is often insufficient, and emergency action plans are frequently absent or underdeveloped. This paper highlights the importance of empowering physical education and sports professionals through training, awareness, and institutional support, to enhance emergency response and potentially save lives. Greater emphasis on education, readiness, and access to life-saving equipment is essential to improve outcomes and ensure safer sports environments.