On February 5, 2009, the SADS Foundation is Joining with Women, Companies and Organizations in Cities Across the U.S. for "National Wear Red Day"

Salt Lake City, UT, January 29, 2010 --(PR.com)-- Research findings indicate that Long QT Syndrome (LQTS) affects females by a ratio of 10 to 1. This discrepancy is likely caused by hormones that affect the IKr Channel. Further, during puberty, the QT interval in boys shortens, leaving adult women with a longer QT interval than adult men. In the congenital long QT syndrome, adult women also have longer QT intervals than adult men. Therefore, women are more often clinically affected by this syndrome than men, in spite of the equal sex-distribution of the disease genotype. Studies have also shown that women are more at risk than men of developing arrhythmias in response to QT prolonging drugs.

Because women make approximately 80% of health care decisions for their families, they should watch for warning signs of SADS conditions, and alert their physicians when warning signs occur. We can’t afford not to.

Warning Signs Of SADS Conditions

Your child should be seen by a doctor if she/he has:

Family history of unexpected, unexplained sudden death in a young person
Fainting (syncope) or seizure during exercise, excitement or startle
Consistent or unusual chest pain and/or shortness of breath during exercise

About sudden cardiac death in the young
· Each year in the United States, an estimated 4,000 young people die suddenly and unexpectedly due to cardiac arrhythmias. Most Of These Deaths Are Preventale.
· These conditions include Long QT Syndrome (LQTS), Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), Arrhymogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia (ARVD), and others.
· LQTS is three times more common than childhood leukemia (ALL) in the US and occurs 1/3 as often as cystic fibrosis and twice as often as PKU.
· HCM is the most common cause of sudden cardiac death in people less than 35 years old and in young athletes.
· 1 in 200,000 high school athletes in the US will die suddenly, most without any prior symptoms.

About the SADS Foundation
The Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndromes (SADS) Foundation’s mission is to save the lives and support the families of children & young adults who are genetically predisposed to sudden death due to heart rhythm abnormalities. We are committed to promoting the early detection and treatment of these conditions throughout the world. The Foundation distributes materials in every state through grassroots efforts in order to teach families, educators and medical professionals about SADS conditions.

To find out more information about SADS conditions, their warning signs and a risk assessment contact:

Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndromes (SADS) Foundation
Phone: 800.STOP-SAD (800.786.7723)
Web: www.StopSADS.org

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