Sudden cardiac arrest ranks as the leading cause of death among student-athletes. It occurs often without prior symptoms. To address this, the Miami-Dade School Board and the State of Florida mandate electrocardiograms (ECGs) for all student-athletes before they engage in sports.
Why Heart Screenings Are Necessary
High school sports are crucial for students. They teach valuable life skills such as teamwork, discipline, listening to coaches, handling both victories and losses, and enjoying the activity. Heart screenings aim to prevent tragic fatalities on campus or during games. More than 90% of sudden cardiac arrest victims do not survive and many are unaware of their risk.
The requirement for ECGs stems from the “Second Chance Act.” This act enforces that all student-athletes undergo heart screenings to enhance their safety while playing sports.
Getting Your Child Screened
Florida’s sports medicine community strives to ensure athlete safety. Coaches are trained in CPR, and each school is equipped with an AED, or automated external defibrillator. Additionally, education on preventing heat-related illnesses is provided.
An ECG is a simple, non-invasive test that evaluates the heart’s electrical activity.
Alongside a health questionnaire and physical exam, the ECG provides an added level of protection. Many healthcare providers such as Baptist Health and Nicklaus Children’s offer free or low-cost screenings. Florida law ensures the cost is capped at $50.
Our objective is to keep children safe during sports. While ECGs aren’t flawless, and may sometimes show abnormal results, these can occasionally be false alarms. Screening should be completed early to allow for more tests, if needed.
Dr. Michael Swartzon, a sports medicine physician with Baptist Health South Florida, works with sports teams such as the Miami Dolphins, Florida Panthers, and InterMiami CF. He can be contacted at [email protected].