Sudden arrhythmia death syndromes (SADS) are genetic heart rhythm abnormalities conditions that can cause sudden death in young, apparently healthy people – who are undiagnosed. These conditions can be treated and deaths can be prevented. Warning Signs: family history of unexpected, unexplained sudden death under age 40; fainting or seizure during exercise, excitement or startle; consistent or unusual chest pain &/or shortness of breath during exercise.

SADS condition are passed down from parent to child with each child of an affected parent having a 50% chance of inheriting the condition. It is estimated the over half of the 4000 SADS deaths each year of children, teens, or young adults had one of the top two warning signs: 1) family history – of a SADS diagnosis or sudden unexplained death (usually undiagnosed and untreated)of a family member, or 2) fainting.

The SADS Family Pedigree Project and SADS Pedigree Kit can help you identify and help other family members who need to be screened – and save lives!
SADS conditions are when the electrical system of the heart is not working properly so there is an abnormal rhythm that occurs.

These conditions are:  

• Long QT Syndrome (LQTS)
• Brugada Syndrome
• Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia (CPVT)
• Short QT Syndrome (SQTS)
• Wolff Parkinson White (WPW)

Other SADS related conditions may include a dysplasia (misplaced) or cardiomyopathy (thickening) of the heart muscle. This related SADS condition is:

• Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia/Cardiomyopathy (ARVD/C)

   ARVD Resources:

• Johns Hopkins ARVD Program
• ARVD – ARVC Information  (Includes International/Online Support)

Another cause of sudden cardiac death in the young are cardiomyopathies. These conditions are:

• Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)
• Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DM)

   Resources

• Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association (HCM)
• Children’s Cardiomyopathy Association

Medical Glossary of commonly used terms and acronyms

Click here for information on where to begin.

Brochures about SADS conditions