Heart screening finds eight teens at risk

The Eric Paredes Save A Life Foundation screened 815 teens on Sunday, October 20 at a free cardiac screening facilitated by the wonderful administration at Patrick Henry High School. The screening sought to detect heart abnormalities that could put teens at risk for Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), a silent killer of 7,000 kids annually.

Eight teens were found to be at risk, meaning they had a heart abnormality dangerous enough to be referred to a doctor for follow-up evaluation and treatment. SCA can strike without warning signs - the first symptom is often death. EKGs, like the ones given at PHHS, are not a part of a teen’s annual check-up or pre-participation sports physical.

Free screenings provided by the EP Save A Life Foundation in partnership with local high schools include a health history, EKG, and echocardiogram if indicated. The EP Save A Life Foundation has screened nearly 10,000 teens since 2010, detecting almost 100 heart abnormalities that were serious enough to cause SCA.

Parents can register their teen for future screenings at EPSaveALife.org.