VHAH has partnered with Who We Play For (www.whoweplayfor.org) and Cardiac Insight
(www.cardiacinsightinc.com) to offer cardiac screenings for young athletes, conducted by VHAH staff and
volunteers.

A simple heart screening can help detect problems before they become major medical issues. We recommend that all students receive an ECG. If you experience any of the symptoms listed below, you should seek an ECG screening immediately:

• Compete in high-impact sports that increase your heart rate for an extended period

• Have a family history indicating that there is a heart disease risk

• Get dizzy during athletics

• Experience fainting spells or weakness while active

• Get shortness of breath that does not clear quickly

• Get chest pain while active

The cardiologist who reads your ECG and the parents if the athlete is under the age of 18.

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.

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.

The interpreted ECGs will be returned to the school within 3-7 business days with a designation of low risk,
follow-up, or high risk, as well as information about particular ECG findings, when applicable.

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.

An abnormal ECG will be flagged for follow up, which means additional testing is needed to see what is causing that abnormality – think of it as a yellow caution light. It will include documentation on what the potential problem might be. Even if your child is flagged for a follow-up, he or she can continue participating in sports and other activities. You’ll just need to have your child visit a Cardiologist within 3 months for follow up.

We work with another national non-profit called “Dollar For” who helps patients crush medical bills by making
charity care known, easy, and fair. While Dollar For does not pay medical bills for patients, they can help you
navigate hospital financial assistance programs and eliminate your hospital bills. Their services are completely free
– no strings attached. Visit the “Dollar For” website, https://dollarfor.org/help for more information.

If your child is flagged as high risk, it is like a red traffic light. He or she should not participate in sports or high-energy activities in any way (practice, games, scrimmages, etc.) until he or she has seen a specialist and received clearance or treatment. If you don’t have one already, we will offer the contact information of Cardiologists in your area.

Occasionally results are blocked by spam folders or there is input error on the correct email. Please contact us here to request a copy of your results.

It’s just $50 per student. A typical doctor’s appointment with ECG normally costs up to $400, we are happy to offer families this important heart screening at huge savings.

NO

ECG screening should be part of the physical every two years through middle school and high school due to the
physical changes and increased stresses on a student athlete’s heart that occur during that time frame. However,
encourage your children to be open and honest about how they physically feel and if at any time your child begins to experience any of the symptoms, take immediate action with your child’s physician.

No, arrangements are made for privacy. Boys will remove their shirts. Girls should wear a regular bra, which will not need to be removed.

Email [email protected] to find out more.