Two IHS students, junior Liliana Manzi and senior Gabrielle Isenberg, traveled to Washington, D.C. to attend the American Heart Association’s Hearts on the Hill event on Oct. 27 and 28. 

Hearts on the Hill included volunteer advocates of all ages from across the country. 47 states were represented. Their mission was to urge members of the United States Congress to fund the HEARTS Act – a bill that was passed unanimously last year and provides grants to schools for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training, automated external defibrillator (AED) access, and the implementation of cardiac emergency response plans. The goal is to equip all students and staff with the knowledge and tools to respond in the event of a cardiac emergency, like sudden cardiac arrest. 

Sudden cardiac arrest is an unexpected and quick loss of heart function. Victims are unable to breath and do not have a pulse. Those who suffer one have a survival rate of ten percent. A cardiac arrest can occur in anyone, but an estimated 23,000 children experience an event each year. When an AED is present in a school, the survival rate for students rises to 70%. 

Many sudden cardiac arrests are often seen in student athletes. For them, it is the leading cause of death. 40% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in children under the age of 18 occur during sports. Pennsylvania is attempting to pass legislation that will require an AED to be present at all Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) sanctioned events. 

One of the common conditions that increase the risk of a sudden cardiac arrest is cardiomyopathy, which affects the heart muscle. Most cases go undiagnosed, which can lead to tragic losses of life. Little is known about cardiomyopathy, especially in children. Part of the funding for the HEARTS Act will go towards research of the condition.

While the bill was signed into law, funding has not been appropriated. Manzi and Isenberg, along with other Pennsylvania constituents, met with the teams of their representatives and senators to share personal stories and the urgency of funding this bill. They had the opportunity to speak to congressional staff in the offices of Congressman Guy Reschenthaler, Congresswoman Madeleine Dean, and Senator Dave McCormick.

The work done by Manzi, Isenberg, and American Heart Association advocates on Capitol Hill could provide life-saving knowledge and tools to IHS and schools across America.