LOUISVILLE, Ky. — According to the Mayo Clinic Health System, sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death in young athletes. Today, a Kentucky teenager is raising awareness about the condition, hoping to save people's lives.
You don’t need any words to feel or see how Alexis Loveless’ home dance studio lights up her spirit. She’s a competitive dancer. It’s her true passion; she’s done it her whole life.
“It kind of combines sports, athletics with art," said Loveless, an American Heart Association youth ambassador. "I really just like how there's always more room to grow. There are always other ways to push yourself."
Years ago, when the seemingly healthy athlete was just weeks away from dancing in a competition, her life changed. She was at a pep rally when she suddenly collapsed. Her heart was in a life-threatening arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat.
“At the time, we didn’t know exactly what happened, but now we know my heart was in ventricle fabulation, which is what leads to cardiac arrest," Loveless said. "My heart reset itself, which is pretty extraordinary, but it’s actually happened a couple other times where it’s been recorded to restart itself.”
She lives with both a pacemaker and another electronic device. Her life is busy, but in a good way.
“I feel on top of the world," she said. "I can dance all I want to, without restrictions.”
Born in Maryland and raised in Kentucky, Loveless does a lot of advocacy work. She’s spoken to state lawmakers in Frankfort and serves as an ambassador and volunteer advocate for the American Heart Association.
Last session, the association heavily advocated for a bill that became law requiring schools to implement cardiac emergency response plans as funding allows. This session, they’re advocating to fund the measures they say are life-saving.
“We are starting to get that funded so that all schools can have access to the life-saving equipment protocol despite their socioeconomic status," Loveless said.
It’s life as usual for Loveless: dancing while also encouraging others.
“Definitely keep fighting for what you believe in,” she said.
Loveless added she's also big on screening athletes' hearts and is hosting a school screening event Feb. 12 in Anchorage. She also created a CPR flash mob video.