The British Heart Foundation (BHF) and The Football Association (The FA) are calling on grassroots and amateur football clubs in Sheffield & Hallamshire to help save more lives from cardiac arrests by installing lifesaving defibrillators.

For every minute without CPR and defibrillation, a person’s chance of survival decreases by around 10 per cent

The BHF and The FA have already helped part-fund and place around 600 defibrillators at grassroots clubs across the country and are now inviting applications from clubs operating within the National League System, Women’s Pyramid of Football or Charter Standard Programme for a further 900 available.

Lisa Hodgson, FA Medical Education Lead, said: “The FA continues to recognise the importance of providing timely and appropriate emergency first aid following casualties at footballing activities.

“Alongside our partners at the British Heart Foundation and WEL Medical, we are supplementing our CPR training by providing an excellent opportunity to receive equipment that could mean all the difference in a potentially life-threatening situation. I would implore football clubs across the country to apply.”

Research shows that over 90% of sudden cardiac arrests in young athletes happen either during or immediately after exercise (1) and those with an inherited heart condition can be up to three times as likely to suffer a sudden cardiac arrest if they participate in intensive or strenuous exercise (2).

At least three fatalities occurred during football matches or training this year in England due to cardiac arrest, including former England international Ugo Ehiogu who died whilst working as coach at Tottenham Hotspur FC. A cardiac arrest is when a person’s heart stops pumping blood around their body and to their brain. It causes the person to fall unconscious and stop breathing, or stop breathing normally.

For every minute without CPR and defibrillation, a person’s chance of survival decreases by around 10 per cent (3). A defibrillator is an automatic device that can be used by the public to shock the heart back into a normal rhythm during cardiac arrest. By performing CPR and using a defibrillator until an ambulance arrives, you can help double the victim’s chance of survival.

By performing CPR and using a defibrillator until an ambulance arrives, you can help double the victim’s chance of survival.

Simon Gillespie, Chief Executive at the British Heart Foundation, said: “Sadly there are hundreds of thousands of people in the UK with a faulty gene which puts them at risk of sudden death from a cardiac arrest.

“When someone collapses on the football pitch and their heart stops, the next few seconds are absolutely critical. Every minute without CPR and defibrillation can reduce their chance of survival by ten per cent.

“Defibrillators can be the difference between life and death, which is why we’re urging football clubs across England to apply for this vital equipment and have it nearby in case of an emergency.”

There are around 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in England every year. However, fewer than one in ten people survive (4).

You can apply for a defibrillator by visiting: www.footballdefibs.org

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For more information from the BHF, please contact the press office via newsdesk@bhf.org.uk or 020 75540164 or 07764 290381.

For more information from The FA, please contact Tom Everett via tom.everett@thefa.com or
07976 768520.

Notes to editors

List of recent fatal cardiac arrests in England

Feb 2017: James Moorfoot – Langcroft FC, died on pitch, age 28

Apr 2017: Ugo Ehiogu – Tottenham Hotspur FC, died at training venue, age 44

May 2017: Ben Walker – Thrapston FC, died on pitch, age 15

References

1) Michael Papadakis, cardiac research registrar, Kings College Hospital, et al. Preparticipation screening for cardiovascular abnormalities in young competitive athletes. BMJ 2008; 337

Corrado D, Basso C, Rizzoli G, Schiavon M, Thiene G. Does sport activity enhance the risk of sudden death in adolescents and young athletes? J Am Coll Cardiol2003;42:1959-63

2) C. Schmied, M. Borjesson, University Hospital Zurich. Sudden cardiac death in athletes. Journal of Internal Medicine. 2014.

3) Holmberg M et a l. Incidence, duration and survival of ventricular fibrillation in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients in Sweden Resuscitation 2000

Larsen MP et al. Predicting survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a graphic model. Ann Emerg  Med 1993

Valenzuela TD, et al. Estimating effectiveness of cardiac arrest interventions: a logistics regression survival model. Circulation 1997

4) NHS England Ambulance Quality Indicators, - figures include all out-of-hospital cardiac arrests where resuscitation is attempted.

British Heart Foundation

For over 50 years we’ve pioneered research that’s transformed the lives of people living with heart and circulatory conditions. Our work has been central to the discoveries of vital treatments that are changing the fight against heart disease. But so many people still need our help. From babies born with life-threatening heart problems to the many Mums, Dads and Grandparents who survive a heart attack and endure the daily battles of heart failure. Join our fight for every heartbeat in the UK. Every pound raised, minute of your time and donation to our shops will help make a difference to people’s lives. For more information visit bhf.org.uk

The Football Association

The FA is the not-for-profit, governing body of football in England which re-invests more than £100 million back into the game each year. It grows participation, promotes diversity and regulates the sport for everyone to enjoy. The FA runs 24 England teams, across men’s, women’s, youth and disability football, utilising the world-class facilities of Wembley Stadium and St. George’s Park.

WEL Medical Ltd
WEL Medical Ltd, founded in 2006, is now a leading provider of innovative products for the pre-hospital and emergency services sector.  Specialising in defibrillators, such as the iPAD SP1 and iPAD SP2 and the award-winning Brayden and Brayden PRO Manikins for CPR training, the company works closely with the public and business community to campaign and provide     life-saving equipment across the UK.  WEL Medical is proud to be a strategic partner of the British Heart Foundation and to work very closely with the NHS Ambulance Service in saving lives.  For more information, please visit http://www.welmedical.com