Heart Screens

A large majority of sudden cardiac arrests in young athletes is a result of underlying conditions that are exposed through physical activity.

Each year, more than 3,000 American children and teenagers die while playing sports from an undiagnosed heart condition. Heart screens are NOT included in high school athletic physicals, leaving many cardiac conditions undetected.

Beginning in 2012, LPCF introduced the “Save A Heart. Save A Life.” screening program, a project targeted at identifying high school athletes who may be at risk for Sudden Cardiac Death. LPCF offers FREE heart screens to student athletes in an effort to detect underlying cardiac issues, specifically Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), which is a thickening of the heart muscle. 1 in 500 people have HCM. It has claimed the lives of many athletes, including US Olympic volleyball player, Floy Hyman, and LSU baseball player, Wally Pontiff.

LPCF is partnering with multiple high schools in the Baton Rouge and surrounding areas to screen all those who participate in organized sports at the high school level. Each athlete receives an EKG and Echocardiogram, both analyzed by a local pediatric cardiologist.

LPCF’s heart screening team travels to school campuses to conduct screenings in existing athletic facilities such as gymnasiums or training rooms. Or, individual athletes or teams can schedule heart screens through LPCF’s office on designated screening days. Before the scheduled screening, each student must complete LPCF’s consent form (includes a health history questionnaire), available for download below. Please also review the Frequently Asked Questions and Privacy Practice documents below.

For more information about this program, or to schedule a free heart screen for your high school athlete, contact LPCF’s Heart Screen Coordinator, Rebecca Savoie, at rebecca.savoie@lpcf.com.

Thank you River Parishes Community College nursing and medical assistant students for helping with on-campus heart screens!