Dear Parents and Guardians of Student Athletes,
The New York State Education Department (NYSED) has recently adopted the Dominic Murray Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act. This law requires schools, students and parents/guardians to have information on sudden cardiac arrest risks, signs and symptoms.
In order for the Nyack Public School District to comply with this act, we have added NYSED’s Interval Health History for Athletic questionnaire to our online registration process.. This questionnaire is intended to gather required information regarding your child’s heart health and your family health history as to decrease any chance of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) in our students. We ask that you please read and fill out this detailed questionnaire very carefully.
The Interval Health History for Athletics must be completed and signed by a parent/guardian before each sports season. School personnel may require a student with health or health history changes to see a healthcare provider before participating in athletics.
As required by law, any student who has signs or symptoms of pending SCA must be removed from athletic activity until seen by a physician. The physician must provide written clearance to the school for the student to be able to return to athletics.
Please note that sudden cardiac arrest in children and young adults is rare. Although it can be triggered in students at risk by athletic activities, the incidence of Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) on the playing field is 0.61 in 100,000.
Unfortunately, a number of personal risk factors may lead to a higher risk of occurrence — including the use of performance enhancing supplements, diet pills, energy drinks or recreational stimulant drugs such as cocaine or inhalants; high blood pressure/cholesterol or a personal history of heart issues.
A family history of heart complications, syndromes or disease in any family member — immediate or extended — may also be a major risk factor.
Signs or symptoms of SCA include fainting or seizures, especially while experiencing a heightened heart rate; irregular heartbeat, racing heart or heart palpitations; or chest pain, excessive shortness of breath, dizziness, lightheadedness or extreme fatigue all while during exercise.
Please contact the NYSED Office of Student Support Services for questions at studentsupportservices@nysed.gov or 518-486-6090.
