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.
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.
If there is a cause for concern, the doctor will contact you and your pediatrician. If you hear nothing, you are good to go. But yes, if you wish a copy of the ECG, there is a button on the site to request it.
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.
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, which 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 listed above, take immediate action with your child's physician.
COVID-19 is affecting our screening's in several ways:
• Increase costs due to PPE and sanitation supplies.
• Increase in sanitation time as we're sanitizing between each participant.
• We are keeping our pre-registration numbers at a safe count in order to practice safe distancing between participants.
• We are requiring face masks for all invovled in our heart screening program.
• We are asking that everyone keep a safe distance from each other at 6 feet apart.
• We are limiting the number of persons allowed to go back into the screening room.
• 1 in 7 athletes who contract COVID-19 have myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle)
We are determined to follow CDC guidelines and extend them.
•We ask that everyone must wear a mask at all times.
•Temperatures will be taken before anyone is allowed to enter and a questionnaire will be asked to verify every individuals health. These results will determine if a patient is allowed to continue with screen.
•Please sanitize your hands before signing in.
•Everyone must stay 6ft apart.
•1 Parent or guardian may come into the screening area with the patient.
•Every table will be sanitized after every participant is finished.
•Every machine will be wiped down and sanitized in between every participant.
•Volunteers must sanitize hands in between every participant.
•If we stage an In-school event, we coordinate the program through a nurse or athletic director.
•HITG nurses/techs perform the screenings.
•Results are interpreted by pediatric cardiologists at Nemours. If there is a cause for concern, the doctor contacts the parents and pediatrician for appropriate care. Otherwise, after all are evaluated, HITG sends an all clear message to parents (or those 18 and over).
The annual physical exam asks family history questions, and requires a doctor to listen to the student’s heart with a stethoscope. Studies have shown that this is just 1% effective in catching heart issues. An ECG can detect up to 95% of the conditions that cause SCA.
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 which 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 listed above, 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. Everyone should wear loose fitting clothes.Not to worry...our nurses are WONDERFUL! They have been with us for years. They love kids! That's why they are nurses!