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STUDENT AND ATHLETE
HEART SCREENINGS
As part of its community programs, the Heart Institute of
the Cascades provides free heart screenings to
students in the 6th-12th grades in Central and Eastern
Oregon. The screening includes an electrocardiogram (EKG) and a
limited echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart). These
tests detect some of the heart problems that can lead to
sudden death in young people. These problems are rare and
may be easily missed on a routine physical exam.
Screenings also include blood pressure checks and non-fasting
cholesterol screenings. Reservations & Parental Consent
Form Required. Please call 541-706-4960 to schedule
your child for a screening.
Click
here to download the Student Screening Parental Consent
Form
Click here to download the October 2009 Student Heart Screening Flyer
If you received a heart screening in the past 3 years, you do not need to be screened again.
Heart Screenings Detect Heart Defects in Young
Athletes
The June 23, 2005, issue of the Wall Street Journal
featured a front page article titled "Doctors Miss Signs Of
Heart Defects In Young Athletes." The article describes a
number of episodes of sudden death in adolescent athletes while
strenuously exerting. The article goes on to question why
simple screening tests such as electrocardiograms are not
performed routinely on young athletes. In countries such as
Japan and Italy these tests are widely utilized. One expert
physician interviewed suggests that as many as 300 sudden
deaths occur in young athletes in the U.S each year.
For the complete Wall Street Journal article, click here.
History of Heart Screenings for Student Athletes in Central and Eastern Oregon
Before expanding the program to all 6th - 12th grade students, the Heart Institute began sponsoring screenings to student athletes. To date, 901 student athletes have been screened. Several potentially serious cardiovascular conditions have been discovered and subsequently treated so in most cases the student was able to continue to participate in scholastic athletics. If your school is not listed below, ask your high school administrator to contact us for more information (see contact information below).
Participating Schools
2002/2003 School Year
LaPine High School (92 students screened)
Bend Senior High School (115)
2003/2004 School Year
Sisters High School (59)
Summit High School (33)
Grant County High School (122)
2004/2005 School Year
Redmond High School (142)
Mt. View High School (35)
Burns High School (29)
2005/2006 School Year
Crook County High School (122)
Madras and Culver High Schools (181)
2006/2007 School Year
La Pine High School, March 21-22, 2007
For more information please contact the Heart Institute at 541-706-2909.
