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SADS Conditions

Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndromes (SADS) are genetic heart conditions that can cause sudden death in young, apparently healthy, people. 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 and/or shortness of breath during exercise.

Please click here if you or a child you know have any of these Warning Signs

Because SADS condition are passed down from parent to child, each child of an affected parent has a 50% chance of inheriting the condition. It is estimated that over half of the 4,000 SADS deaths each year of children, teens, or young adults have 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.

SADS conditions occur because the electrical system of the heart is not working properly, so that the heart beats with an abnormal rhythm.

Facts about SADS conditions

  • Each year in the United States, approximately 210,000 Americans die suddenly and unexpectedly due to Sudden Cardiac Arrest. (American Heart Association 2017)
  • 10-12% of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) cases are due to Long QT Syndrome
  • LQTS is now known to be 3 times more common in the US than childhood leukemia
  • 1 in 200,000 high school athletes in the US will die suddenly, most without any prior symptoms—JAMA 1996; 276

SADS conditions are:

  • Acquired LQTS
  • Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia/Cardiomyopathy (ARVD/C)
  • Brugada Syndrome
  • Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia (CPVT)
  • Long QT Syndrome (LQTS)
  • Short QT Syndrome (SQTS)
  • Timothy Syndromes
  • Wolff Parkinson White (WPW)

Have you experienced symptoms of SADS or are you newly diagnosed?

Medical Glossary of commonly used terms and acronyms