Publicity

SAFM INTERVIEW WITH PROF. MILLER: 22 JUNE 2010
WORLD HEART RHYTHM WEEK

CLICK HERE to listen to the interview on SAFM with Prof. Rob Scott Miller regarding World Heart Rhythm Week, Sudden Cardiac Arrest and PACE.

PULSE OF THE NATION PICKS UP

While thousands of fans descend upon South Africa for the 2010 FIFA World Cup kick off, individuals around the globe will also become more aware of their pulse rate during World Heart Rhythm Week ( 7- 13 June 2010).

The theme this year is "know your pulse" and the initiative's aim is to raise awareness about heart arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms) and sudden cardiac arrest or death (SCA). These conditions can occur in apparently healthy, young and fit people, and are often caused by an arrhythmic (out of rhythm) heartbeat of which the person is unaware.

Soccer legend, Lucas Radebe, recently led thousands of football fans in a world record attempt to have the most people take their pulse at the same time, during halftime at the Nedbank Cup Final at Soccer City.

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Lusan Luscombe (CEO) and Prof. Paul Brink interviewed on RSG on 8 June, discussing World Rhythm Week.

PACE ON MORNING LIVE, 21 MAY 2010 

PACE had the great opportunity to appear on SABC 2 Morning live on Friday 21 May 2010 at about 7.30 am for 10 minutes!
Lusan Luscombe  CEO of PACE was interviewed with the focus on sudden cardiac death in soccer players.

Lusan confirmed that sudden cardiac death in apparently healthy fit soccer players was a reality.  There has been a number of such unexpected soccer deaths in the last few years noteably Cameroon player Marc-Vivien Foe in 2003 and Seville player Antonia Puerta in 2007.  In the UK alone SCA affects around 1,000 athletes every year and internationally,  Concerning the general population, she said that there are no statistics in South Africa but if we compare the incidence with international figures, nearly 50 000 sudden cardiac deaths occur in SA yearly.

This is often due to an underlying cardiac condition of which the person is unaware of and competitive sport may in some cardiac conditions, trigger dangerous arrhythmia (abnormal heart beats). This may lead to collapse and sudden death.

These deaths may actually be prevented through screening because many underlying cardiac arrhythmia conditions may be well managed, treated or even cured. Screening may be one or more tests; a 12 lead ECG, Echocardiogram, a stress ECG, an EP Study etc.

She then highlighted the symptoms: episodes of unexplained fainting, palpitation, dizziness, unexplained seizures and especially a family history of sudden cardiac death with the only explanation as unknown or natural causes. Thus she stressed the importance of knowing your pulse - too slow, too fast or irregular may indicate an underlying heart problem

Lusan then continued to also stress the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest. A heart attack is when an artery to the heart gets blocked while cardiac arrest is when the electricity of the heart malfunctions.  Many sudden deaths are attributed to a heart attack when it was actually an electrical cardiac problem.

It is important to understand that the malfunctioning of the electricity in the heart causes the heart to beat out of rhythm.  MOST IMPORTANT is that it can beat so out of rhythm that the heart starts to FIBRILLATE and not pump at all. The only remedy is then to DEFIBRILLATE the heart with an AED (Automatic External Defibrillator).

In the 2006 World Soccer Cup,  FIFA screened 32 teams in the final round and this year they also have extensive screening tests.

Lusan concluded with the exciting news that PACE was going to create "Know your Pulse" awareness at the opening of Soccer City on 22 May. Lucas Radebe has kindly agreed to lead thousands (70 000+) of fans during half time at the Nedbank Cup Final in a world record attempt to have the most people take their pulse at the same time.  This is in step with World Heart Rhythm Week which is from 7 - 13 June where there is a global drive to make people aware of their pulse.