Do you think you might have a SADS condition?

The SADS Foundation is dedicated to providing information, assistance and hope.

What you can do:
All children should have the Risk Assessment Form completed--and be checked by a doctor if they answer "yes" to any question. We can help you with physician referrals.

• You or your child's doctor should fill out the Risk Assessment Form.  If you answer yes to any of the questions, your doctor should check your child's heart.
• If your child has any of the following warning signs, see your doctor.
  • 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.

Facts about these genetic conditions:

• Each year in the United States, approximately 295,000 Americans die suddenly and unexpectedly due to cardiac arrhythmias. Almost 4,000 of them are young people under age 35. These deaths total more than lung cancer, breast cancer, and AIDS combined! (MMWR Weekly February 15, 2002/51(06); 123-6: State-Specific Mortality from Sudden Cardiac Death—United States, 1999.)
• These conditions include Long QT Syndrome, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), Brugada Syndrome, Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia (CPVT), Short QT Syndrome (SQTS), Wolff Parkinson White (WPW), etc.
• Long QT Syndrome (LQTS) is as common as cystic fibrosis and is at least 3-4 times more common than childhood leukemia in the US.
• Most cardiac problems that may cause sudden death in the young can be diagnosed and treated.
• With treatment, people with these conditions can have normal, productive lives.
• Most sudden cardiac deaths in children are due to hereditary conditions--so every family member should be screened.

Physician Referrals:
SADS has a list of physicians that specialize in the electrical part of the heart and have experience and interest in Long QT Syndrome.  These are both pediatric and adult electrophysiologists.  We don't have physicians from all parts of the country, but if you give us a call at 800-STOP-SAD (786-7723) or email Anne Maurer, Director of Family Support, at Anne@sads.org, we would be happy to help you with a referral.

Also, these professional groups have information about physician specialists in the country:


For More Information:



We would be happy to answer any questions, send you materials or help direct you to the proper information.  Just complete the Family Registration Form and we will be in contact with you shortly.  You can also call 800-STOP-SAD (786-7723) to speak with a staff member of the SADS Foundation.