Deborah Heart and Lung Center is sponsoring a free Sudden Cardiac Arrest Screening for middle and high school students from any school district, on Oct. 20 from 9 a.m. to p.m. at Deborah Heart and Lung Center, 200 Trenton Road, Browns Mills.
The number one health-related cause of death in the U.S. during adolescence is Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), according to a statement from Deborah Heart and Lung Center. It happens before the age of 20 and often strikes healthy young teenagers with no prior warning or symptoms. There have been numerous tragic deaths reported in the news including a Holmdel High student dying while playing lacrosse, a 14-year-old in the Bronx suddenly collapsing and dying during non-contact football practice, an 18-year-old in Teaneck dying in her sleep, a Voorhees Township soccer player dying in her sleep during a team sleepover, and a Red Bank basketball player collapsing and dying during a preseason scrimmage.
The American Academy of Pediatrics estimates that as many as 2,000 children and young adults will die of SCA each year.
SCA does not discriminate — whether you are an athlete, in the marching band, or a member of the chess club. Pediatricians do not routinely perform cardiac screenings on teenagers.
Because of this urgent, unmet medical screening need in our communities, Deborah, for the past few years, has hosted free cardiac screenings for teenagers throughout the state.
Students, ages 12-19, from any school district, are welcome to register for this complimentary screening event. Screening is quick, and includes blood pressure, body mass index, heart auscultation (listening for a heart murmur), electrocardiogram (ECG – how the heart beats) and if needed, an echocardiogram (sonic heart imaging).
Confidential results will be delivered to each parent after review by a Deborah cardiologist. All screenings are scheduled by appointment, first come, first served, and students must be pre-registered online at deborahfoundation.org.
