The Nick of Time Foundation is offering heart screenings to any youth ages 14-24 at Sammamish High School on Wednesday, March 6 to raise awareness of Sudden Cardiac Arrest.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest is the leading cause of sudden death in “at-play” young people and is typically the result of an undiagnosed structural or electrical problem.
What is sudden cardiac death in young people? Sudden cardiac death is the result of an unexpected failure of proper heart function, usually during or immediately after exercise without trauma. Since the heart stops pumping adequately, the child quickly collapses, loses consciousness, and ultimately dies, unless normal heart rhythm is restored using an automated external defibrillator (AED) SCA-Information-Flyer (PDF).
Integrated screening programs, utilizing ECG, offer the only model proven to reliably identify children at risk for SCD, and the only model with evidence suggesting early detection can reduce the rate of SCD in young people.
The goals of the Nick of Time screening program are:
- To detect hidden heart conditions with the potential for sudden death in the young.
- To reduce SCD through early detection and appropriate medical interventions, activity modification.
- To raise awareness and educate schools and communities about SCD, warning symptoms, and the value of heart screening.
What happens during a screening?
The Nick of Time Youth Heart Screen consists of: A Heart Health Survey investigating signs and symptoms/family history of cardiac condition, blood pressure and physical exam, and ECG. An on-site echocardiogram is conducted in cases with a positive finding on history, physical exam or ECG. Each screen takes approximately 45 minutes, including CPR-AED training.
When will the screenings take place?
March 6, 2019 at Sammamish High School
How can I register my student?
Heart screens are available by appointment only on a first come first serve basis for any child, athlete or not, ages 14-24 years, regardless where enrolled in school. For questions, or more information, contact Andi Tomlinson – [email protected]
The following survey must be complete before registering your student – Heart Health Survey (PDF)
This youth heart screening event is being coordinated by Nick of Time Foundation, a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization, depending solely on local volunteer support. Partnering is a great opportunity for community groups to work together to ensure all youth are heart safe.