After Belen Student Tragedy, What to Know About Sudden Cardiac Arrest Among Teens

A devastating incident occurred one week ago during a high school water polo tournament when Lucas Osuna, a sophomore at Belen Jesuit, suddenly collapsed in the cooldown pool. The 15-year-old suffered cardiac arrest and, despite immediate CPR efforts, could not be revived. Lucas’s father confirmed on Friday that his son likely had an undiagnosed genetic condition — Marfan syndrome — which can lead to serious heart complications such as an aortic rupture. The condition had gone completely unnoticed until the tragedy struck, leaving the family shocked and heartbroken. Currently, the state of Florida requires only a standard physical exam for student-athletes. These basic checkups often fail to detect hidden heart abnormalities, and Lucas’s case has highlighted a glaring gap in preventative care for young athletes.

Heartcharged: A Mission to Save Lives

Lucas’s story echoes similar experiences faced by the Keim sisters, Hannah and Bethany, who were both diagnosed in high school with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy — a condition that causes thickening of the heart muscle and is the most common cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes. Hannah Keim, now a health advocate, co-founded Heartcharged, a youth-driven social media platform designed to educate young people about the risks of undiagnosed heart conditions. The account uses Instagram graphics and TikTok-style videos to raise awareness and promote heart screenings. “We started five years ago, and it’s grown into something meaningful,” Hannah said. “We just wanted to save one life, and we’ve saved dozens.” Hannah now lives with an implanted defibrillator, which has restarted her heart on two separate occasions. Her story starkly contrasts Lucas’s — a difference that came down to early diagnosis.

Doctors Urge Awareness, Not Mandatory Testing

Dr. Eli Friedman, Medical Director of Sports Cardiology at Baptist Health Medical Center, expressed deep sympathy for the Osuna family and emphasized the importance of open communication between families and pediatricians. “Knowing your family’s medical history and reporting symptoms like fainting, dizziness, or chest heaviness is critical,” Friedman said.

However, he cautioned against mandating electrocardiograms (EKGs) for all student-athletes. “Up to 50% of causes of cardiac arrest in sports are not detectable by an EKG or physical exam,” he noted. He added that mass EKG screenings could lead to unnecessary and costly follow-up procedures and may not cover kids participating in non-school sports or PE classes. According to national data, around 23,000 children suffer sudden cardiac arrest in the U.S. each year — with a survival rate of just 9%. One in 300 kids is living with an undiagnosed heart condition.

Resources like Heartcharged are working to change that by spreading awareness and teaching CPR, potentially saving lives through education and early action.