What we do

What We Do

Heartbeat of Sport is a registered charity and has FOUR main aims:

  • To raise awareness of sudden cardiac arrest within sport
  • To hold fundraising events to help sporting organisations obtain specialist training and equipment that is needed in a cardiac arrest situation.
  • To campaign for the regular screening of all professional and semi-professional sports stars
  • To provide affordable heart screening to all sporting environments

Cardiac arrest, what is that?

A cardiac arrest happens when your heart stops pumping blood around your body. This can happen for a number of reasons, the most common being a life threatening abnormal heart rhythm called ventricular fibrillation (VF). Ventricular fibrillation happens when the electrical activity of your heart becomes so chaotic that the heart stops pumping and quivers or fibrillates instead. There are various causes of VF. These can be problems with your heart, or other causes.

Specialist equipment and training

The equipment needed in a cardiac situation is an AED or Automated External Defibrillator. Below are examples of the models that we provide.

What does a Defibrillator do?

A Defibrillator will produce a high-energy electric shock that stops the chaotic rhythm of VF and allows the normal, organised, electrical rhythm of the heart to re-start. This can allow the pumping action of the heart to return.

AEDs are easy to use, compact, portable and very effective. They are designed to be used by anyone. The machine will guide the operator through the process by verbal instructions and visual prompts.

They are safe and will not allow a shock to be given unless the heart’s rhythm requires it. They are designed to be stored for long periods without use and require very little routine maintenance.

CPR and first Aid Training

As well as providing the Defibrillator, Heartbeat of Sport offer a package which includes an AED, AED use training, CPR and first aid training with certification for up to 20 people at a time.

Screening

We at Heartbeat of Sport believe regular heart screening should be available and affordable to all people that participate in sports. Whether it professional or recreational, an underlying heart condition could be picked up through a simple test called an ECG or Electrocardiogram.

We work with a great team of medical staff, lead by our Cardiologist to provide a thorough ECG screening programme.

What is an ECG?

Small sticky patches called electrodes are put on your arms, legs and chest. These are connected by wires to an ECG recording machine which picks up the electrical signals that make your heart beat. This electrical activity is recorded and printed onto paper.

It can help detect problems with your heart rhythm and can detect if your heart is enlarged or thickened.

The test takes around 5 minutes and is completely painless.

What if something is picked up?

If our Cardiologist should find something on your ECG that may need further attention, he will spend time speaking with you and discuss what can happen next. He will work with you to find an option you are comfortable with.

Aftercare

The team at Heartbeat of Sport will go as far as it can to provide support for you throughout further tests, screens and medical procedures. We can offer advice in to private healthcare or NHS care. Our Cardiologist will be on hand to answer any questions you may have and our staff and volunteers could provide a hand to hold or an ear to bend.