Experts estimate that 300 high school athletes die every year of sudden cardiac arrest
due to undetected heart defects. But many of those deaths could be prevented if teens were screened with both an EKG and an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart), says a report from Johns Hopkins University. Severe structural abnormalities may not show up on an EKG alone, explains Theodore Abraham, MD, a cardiologist involved in the research. Dr. Abraham recommends that all teen athletes doing strenuous sports such as football, basketball or baseball be screened in middle or early high school, especially if there's a family history of heart disease. Ask if your child's school or district has a screening program; if not, talk to his pediatrician. The tests probably won't be covered by health insurance, but if the doctor says it's essential, insurance may approve them.
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