Child Heart Failure is scary

A simple heart screening can help detect problems before they become major medical issues. We strongly recommend all student athletes get an ECG. Athletes are 2-3 X's prone to SCA than regular students

Cardiac screening can detect a variety of potentially catastrophic genetic diseases. The simplest level of testing is an ECG, which looks at the electrical signals of the heart. An ECG involves placing electrodes on the chest around the heart to record those signals. The test is easy, painless, non- invasive, and takes less than 5 minutes. It does not involve needles, blood work, radiation exposure or sedation.

Every ECG is read by board-certified Cardiologists who are among the most experienced and qualified doctors in the country. Their experience means more accurate interpretations.

On average 97% of all those screened have a normal ECG and are considered at low risk for cardiac issues. In less than 3%, results are inconclusive or suggest something that requires further testing. Most often an Echocardiogram (Echo) is recommended. The Echo is used to get a picture of the heart similar to an ultrasound to look at a baby during pregnancy. The Echo looks for valve and vein structure, muscle thickness, and proper operation of the heart. Most rarely, but most importantly, our statistics show that 1 in 1000 of those we screen will be flagged as high risk with a severe abnormality on their ECG.

If your child has an abnormal finding, here is the procedure:

• - We suggest a second screening (just to make sure).
• - We connect with you and your pediatrician to inform both parties
• - If the results are the same, we send both parties a pdf of the screening
• - HITG then follows up with both parties
• - If the child is at risk, we reach out to the AD of his/her school
• - After all the abnormal results are sent to the family, HITG does a free and clear email to everyone else