How common is sudden cardiac death for US high school students who participate in sports?

The incidence of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in US high school students who participate in sports is roughly 1 in 200,000 to 1 in 500,000 athlete exposures. This means that out of every 200,000 or 500,000 times a high school student athlete steps onto the field, court, or track, one will experience SCD due to an underlying heart condition or injury. While this number may seem low, it is important to note that even one death is a tragedy and that prevention is essential to protect young athletes.