What Happens After the Save: Supporting Athletes After Cardiac Arrest
When an athlete survives sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), the moment is often called a “miracle.” But for that athlete, their family, and their team, the story doesn’t end when the heart starts beating again. Surviving an arrest on the field is only the first step — what comes next is just as important, and often overlooked.
Cardiac Arrest in Young Athletes: A Rare but Life-Altering Event
While rare, sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death in young athletes during sports. Thanks to increased AED access and bystander CPR education, more student-athletes are surviving these events than ever before. But survival is just the beginning.
In the days, weeks, and months after resuscitation, survivors undergo a full medical workup to identify the cause of the arrest. For some, it’s a previously undiagnosed heart condition like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or long QT syndrome. Others may have experienced a one-time event like commotio cordis or exertional collapse. These diagnoses guide what comes next.
Medical Follow-Up and the Road to Clearance
After an arrest, athletes are typically referred to pediatric cardiologists or sports cardiology specialists. The process often includes:
EKG, echocardiogram, or cardiac MRI
Genetic testing (especially in inherited conditions)
Exercise stress testing
Electrophysiology evaluation if needed
Depending on the findings, the athlete may be cleared to return to play, placed on medication, or in some cases, recommended to pause high-intensity sports permanently. Some may require an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), which brings its own return-to-play decisions.
These conversations are deeply personal and often emotional, especially for teens who have built their identity around sport. It’s critical that teams and schools work closely with physicians to ensure medical safety and emotional well-being.
The Mental and Emotional Recovery
Athletes who experience cardiac arrest often face anxiety, fear of recurrence, or loss of confidence, even when medically cleared. They may also feel isolated or overwhelmed by the attention that follows a high-profile incident.
Teammates and coaches can play a powerful role in making the return feel safe and supported. That might mean giving the athlete space, checking in regularly, or making sure they feel included in team activities during recovery, even if they’re temporarily sidelined.
Consider bringing in a sports psychologist, counselor, or school mental health resource to support not just the athlete, but the team as a whole. Witnessing an arrest can be traumatic for everyone on the field.
Return to Play: It’s Not One-Size-Fits-All
While some athletes make a full return to competition, others may shift to lower-intensity sports, coaching, or off-field roles. What's most important is that the athlete’s goals, safety, and mental health are at the center of decision-making.
Coaches, families, and medical teams should be aligned: there’s no pressure to rush back. A safe and supported return, even if it looks different than before, is a powerful success story.
Supporting the Whole Journey
At NYSAP, we focus on prevention, preparedness, and lifesaving response. But we also believe that support doesn't stop when the AED turns off.
By understanding what comes after the save, we can better support survivors through recovery, identity shifts, and finding joy in sports again, in whatever form that takes.
Whether you're a teammate, coach, or community member, your presence and support can make all the difference.
Cody’s Law: Protecting Youth Athletes and the Role of CPR Training
The sudden loss of a young life is a tragedy that no family should ever face. For Cody Stephens, a Texas high school football player, his untimely death from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) became a catalyst for change. Cody’s death, caused by an undiagnosed heart condition, led to the creation of Cody’s Law in 2013, a legislative step that has improved youth sports safety in Texas. As the founder of a nonprofit dedicated to training youth sports coaches in CPR, I believe that while Cody’s Law was a critical first step, more must be done to ensure the safety of young athletes. This post explores the impact of Cody’s Law and the vital role CPR training plays in protecting future generations.
The Story Behind Cody’s Law
In 2012, Cody Stephens collapsed during a football game, and despite efforts to revive him, he passed away. His death was caused by hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a condition where the heart muscle thickens, increasing the risk of sudden cardiac arrest. The condition was never detected through a routine physical exam.
In response, Cody’s family pushed for Cody’s Law, which requires student-athletes in Texas to undergo thorough heart screenings before participating in sports. This includes pre-participation physical exams (PPEs) that focus on identifying undiagnosed heart conditions that could lead to sudden cardiac arrest. The law also encourages electrocardiograms (ECGs) a diagnostic test that can screen for issues like HCM.
How Cody’s Law Has Impacted Policy
Cody’s Law has brought about critical changes in how youth sports address heart health:
Heart Screenings for Athletes: The law mandates thorough physical exams, ensuring heart conditions are identified before athletes hit the field.
Encouragement of ECGs: Although ECGs are not required by law, they’re strongly encouraged, allowing for early detection of conditions that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Emergency Preparedness: Schools and sports organizations are urged to have emergency action plans in place, including access to AEDs and CPR-trained staff.
While Cody’s Law has been a vital step forward, there’s still more to be done to protect youth athletes from the dangers of sudden cardiac arrest.
Why CPR Training for Coaches Is Crucial
The success of Cody’s Law hinges not only on heart screenings but also on how quickly an emergency is managed when it occurs. CPR training for coaches is critical because, in the event of sudden cardiac arrest, every second counts. Without immediate intervention, the survival rate for cardiac arrest decreases with each passing minute.
Coaches are often the first responders during an emergency, and with proper CPR training, they can save a life before emergency services arrive. Offering CPR courses to coaches ensures they are prepared to act confidently in a crisis, protecting young athletes in ways that go beyond just heart screenings.
Continuing Cody’s Legacy: CPR Training for Youth Coaches
As part of our nonprofit mission, we provide CPR training for youth sports coaches, schools, and organizations. By building on the foundation laid by Cody’s Law, we aim to ensure that coaches are not only knowledgeable about heart health but also trained in life-saving CPR techniques.
Conclusion: A Safer Future for Young Athletes
Cody’s Law has changed the landscape of youth sports safety in Texas, but it’s only part of the solution. By adding CPR training to the equation, we can create a safer environment for athletes. Together, we can protect future generations of athletes—because when it comes to saving lives, every second counts.
Call to Action:
If you’re a coach or work with youth athletes, please contact nysap.aed@gmail.com to schedule CPR training. Help us continue the legacy of Cody’s Law by ensuring that all young athletes are protected.
Ethan Low