HEALTH FIRST CARDIOLOGIST Kevin Campbell, MD, stopped by the WESH 2 News studios to tout the benefits of access to and deployment of automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) in the event a person suffers ventricular fibrillation or tachycardia.

The sports world has been hearing a lot about deadly cardiac events in athletes while on the playing field or court. In January, a National Football League player suffered commotio cordis. This summer, the son of basketball great LeBron James sustained a cardiac arrest during a college basketball practice.

Health First Cardiologist Kevin Campbell, MD, says the occurrences of athletes sustaining life-threatening cardiac events while on the playing field or court is rare but not unheard of. The presence of an automatic external defibrillator (AED) is critical in saving a life.

“In my opinion, we should have this at every high school football game, every high school practice, no matter what the sport,” Dr. Campbell said. “While the chances of sudden death in a high school athlete is small, it's not zero. Let's save some lives.”

Campbell pointed out during the in-studio demonstration that the best modern AEDs offer voice commands and encouragement such as “Stay calm” the minute they’re activated.

“You don’t have to be a cardiologist or know anything about this,” Dr. Campbell said.

According to research, AED use by bystanders in cardiac arrest patients before medical personnel arrived improved survival and functional outcomes.

READ Dr. Campbell’s explanations of why and how athletes may suffer cardiac events despite being healthy and vigorous by outward appearances, in Space Coast Daily  HERE.