Heart Screening
Home » Heart Screening Process
Heart Screening
Process
Step #1: Registration
Pre-register for a specific heart screening online or register in person on the day of the screening and complete the required consent forms. You will be asked to provide some personal health information and medical history, but rest assured that our forms and documentation are 100% secure, private, and encrypted and only accessible by our foundation staff and cardiologists.
Step #2: Check In
Step #3: Vitals
Step #4: Electrocardiogram (EKG) Exam
Small patches with a mild latex-free adhesive will be placed on a patient’s chest, legs and arms by a volunteer member. Electrodes are attached to the patches and the heart’s electrical activity is recorded. The entire process is painless and non-invasive – no needles, skin pricks, or any other exposures!
Step #5: Echocardiogram (Echo) Exam
When indicated by our cardiologists, an echocardiogram exam (ultrasound of the heart aka an “Echo”) will be performed by a licensed technician at our heart screenings. This test specifically focuses on identifying structural heart abnormalities that may precipitate SCA events relevant to the younger demographic. Please note that not everyone will need an Echo performed. If selected to do an Echo, it is not an indication that something is wrong.
Step #6: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Training (optional)
After finishing your EKG exam and while waiting for a cardiologist to discuss your results, you can choose to get some basic training on how to properly perform CPR. Please note that this is not a formal American Heart Association (AHA) certification training, but rather an educational session. Participants are encouraged to become CPR certified by visiting https://cpr.heart.org/en/ to learn more.
Step #7: Cardiologist Consultation
You will meet with one of our partnered licensed cardiologists to discuss the results of your health questionnaire, vitals, EKG, and Echocardiogram. If you are told additional follow-up is needed by a member of our cardiology team, you will be asked to follow up with your own physician. If you do not have a medical provider, please alert a member of our team.
Please note that Saving Hearts Foundation only performs heart screenings and that we DO NOT make clinical diagnoses or advise on clinical decisions. You will be able to request a copy of your EKG by asking a member of our team to print a copy on the day of your screening, selecting the “Request EKG” button at the top of this webpage, or emailing [email protected].
Screenings are intended for any children, teens, or adults ages 12 to 35 only
Open to the public - you do not need to be a student at the host school
You do not need to be a student athlete to participate!
Must fill out the consent forms listed either online or fill out a physical form on the day of the screening. Individuals under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian signature or approval prior to participating
Absolutely not. No information will be shared with your school administration, sports coach, or anyone else outside of Saving Hearts Foundation regarding the results of your screening We will request to receive a participant’s contact information from the school to follow up with individuals who have received a recommendation to follow up with their own physician to ensure that they understand the next steps they can take. Participants can opt to not receive any further communication with our team upon request.
No, this is only a heart screening. Saving Hearts Foundation DOES NOT make clinical diagnoses; rather, we only give recommendations for participants to reach out to their own physician should a serious heart condition be suspected by our cardiology team.
Not necessarily. For this reason, we recommend any participants with a suspected abnormal EKG to follow up with their own physician to determine a final diagnosis and treatment plan as needed.
Fainting
Seizures
Rapid heart rate
Chest pain or pressure
Skipped heartbeats
Unexplained fatigue
Lightheadedness
Family history of known heart abnormalities or sudden death before age 40
Family members with unexplained fainting spells, seizures, near or fatal drowning episodes, or car accidents
Family members with known structural heart abnormalities (that are either unrepaired or have been repaired)
Recreational use of stimulants, inhalants, unprescribed medications, performance-enhancing supplements, or excessive energy drinks
No. This screening does not substitute for a regular longitudinal (ongoing) relationship with a primary care physician, who is better attuned to your medical history and any changes in your health status. No screening can identify 100% of the individuals at risk for a sudden cardiac event. We encourage you to continue to have yearly physicals and to contact your medical provider with any concerns or changes in your health, particularly the warning signs and risk factors you’ve commented on in the screening packet. New American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines recommend regular heart screening for youth.