Experiment with your heart science

0 of 8 cards flipped

• Myth“Only older adults have heart problems.” Tap to reveal the factFactHeart conditions can affect people of any age. Some are present from birth or inherited, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or long QT syndrome, and sudden cardiac arrest can happen in young people.Source: American Academy of Pediatrics — HealthyChildren.org; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NIH)
• Myth“All athletes have perfectly healthy hearts.” Tap to reveal the factFactBeing fit doesn't rule out heart conditions. Some inherited conditions can go unnoticed in athletes, which is why symptoms and family history matter.Source: American Heart Association; American Academy of Pediatrics — HealthyChildren.org
• Myth“If I feel fit, I don't need to pay attention to symptoms.” Tap to reveal the factFactChest pain, fainting, unusual shortness of breath, or a racing heart with other symptoms during exercise always deserve attention — no matter how fit you feel. Stop, tell an adult, and get checked.Source: American Academy of Pediatrics — HealthyChildren.org; American Academy of Pediatrics — HealthyChildren.org
• Myth“An AED can only be used by a doctor.” Tap to reveal the factFactAEDs are designed for use by the public. They give spoken instructions and only deliver a shock if one is needed. Anyone can turn one on and follow the prompts.Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NIH); American Heart Association
• Myth“A heart attack and cardiac arrest are the same thing.” Tap to reveal the factFactA heart attack is a blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle; the person is usually awake. Cardiac arrest is an electrical problem where the heart suddenly stops pumping effectively, and the person collapses.Source: American Heart Association
• Myth“I could make things worse by doing CPR, so it's safer to wait.” Tap to reveal the factFactSomeone in cardiac arrest needs help immediately. Calling 911 and starting CPR right away gives them the best chance — dispatchers can coach you through it.Source: American Heart Association; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NIH)
• Myth“A normal heart-rate reading means my heart is fine.” Tap to reveal the factFactA heart rate in the typical range can't rule out heart disease. Many conditions don't change resting heart rate. Symptoms and family history still matter.Source: American Heart Association; American Academy of Pediatrics — HealthyChildren.org
• Myth“If someone who collapsed is gasping, they're breathing and don't need CPR.” Tap to reveal the factFactGasping is not normal breathing. Someone who collapses and is unresponsive with gasping or no normal breathing may be in cardiac arrest — call 911 and start CPR.Source: American Heart Association; American College of Cardiology — CardioSmart