Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is a serious medical emergency in which the heart suddenly ceases the ability to effectively pump blood around the body. Awareness of SCA has increased recently, thanks in part to high profile cases involving sportspeople such as Christian Eriksen and Damar Hamlin.
These cases are, for many, the first time they have heard about sudden cardiac arrest. Elite athletes suffering SCA in a stadium full of people is a traumatic event for all involved and makes front page news.
Why is such a dangerous medical emergency happening to athletes who are among the fittest in society?