ROYAL OAK, Mich. – Local student athletes will have the opportunity to receive a free heart screening this Saturday from Beaumont Health cardiologists.
Experts said sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death in young athletes.
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"This could potentially save a life. It’s a free service to our community to try to pick up unrecognized, life-threatening heart conditions. We hear about stories in the news every day where children’s lives could have potentially be saved by a simple, painless screening," said Dr. Nancy Cutler, a Beaumont Children’s Hospital pediatric cardiologist.
The free student heart screening takes about an hour and will include a medical history, blood pressure check, an electrocardiogram or ECG, and a "quick-look" echocardiogram -- an ultrasound image of the heart.
Cutler cautions parents that the typical school sports physical may fall short in assessing heart health, missing potentially life-threatening conditions.
"Almost all of the kids who have passed away from sudden cardiac events did not know they had anything wrong. Many were at the top of their game and feeling healthy and strong," Cutler said. "One of the most serious conditions we’re looking for through the Student Heart Check screening is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy -- a common cause of death in young athletes. This is a condition where the walls of the heart are abnormally thick. Not only can this thickness cause blockage of the blood flow of the heart, but it can also put them at risk for life-threatening heart rhythm problems, including sudden cardiac death. As a doctor and a mother, I don’t want to see your child, friend or neighbor have one of these sudden events."
Beaumont created the Student Heart Check screening program in May 2007. Since then, Beaumont has screened 13,672 Michigan high school students. Of those students, 176 were told to stop sports and follow up with a cardiologist due to heart abnormalities and seven were diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
The next Student Heart Check screening is at Harper Woods High School, 20225 Beaconsfield St., Harper Woods on Oct. 8 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
As students go through the screening, Beaumont will offer CPR/automated external defibrillator education and training for students and their parents. Experts say knowing how to operate an AED and perform CPR are essential skills that everyone should learn.
Cutler also advises families not to ignore any warning signs.
"Kids should always listen to their bodies," Cutler said. "If they feel any chest pain, dizziness or heart fluttering, they should let someone know. As a parent, if your child tells you they are having symptoms like this, please get them checked. But, also, keep in mind, many heart conditions have no warning signs. That’s why screenings like this are important."
The screening is free, but students do need to register. To do so, click here.
If students are unable to attend a Student Heart Check event, the screenings are also available by appointment at Beaumont, Royal Oak's Ernst Cardiovascular Center. The cost is $25. Call 800-328-8542 to schedule.
The Student Heart Check program is supported by Max and Debra Ernst through the Ernst Cardiovascular Center at Beaumont Hospital -- Royal Oak; the Fraternal Order of Eagles; Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals; the Charlie Sanders Foundation; the LiveLikeMax Foundation; Jersey Mike’s; the fundraising efforts of 97.1 FM The Ticket; and others in the community.
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