Over 13,000 youth to receive cardiac screenings in Oct.

During National Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness (SCA) Month in October, thirteen organizations from across the nation are participating in Screen Across America, a national initiative that provides cardiac screenings to youth ages 5-24.  The goal of this collaborative effort is to increase awareness about Sudden Cardiac Arrest in youth and the importance of cardiac screenings and early detection in saving young lives. 

According to Parent Heart Watch (PHW), research and daily headlines demonstrate that SCA in youth is not an isolated occurrence and is often preventable.  "Throughout the year, community cardiac screenings are taking place all around the country and young lives are being saved," said PHW Executive Director Michele Snyder.  "Since October is National Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month, we wanted to shine a light on these efforts and let people know that cardiac screenings are an effective way to detect most pre-existing and potentially fatal disorders."

The organizations participating in this initiative include Championship Hearts Foundation (Austin, TX); Eric Paredes Save a Life Foundation (San Diego, CA); Heartfelt Cardiac Projects/The Anthony Bates Foundation  (Laguna Beach, CA); Heart Screen New York (Long Island, NY); Max Schewitz Foundation (Chicago, IL); Med-Care Ambulance/Western Maine Affiliate Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association (Mexico, Maine); Nick of Time Foundation (Seattle, WA);  Quinn Driscoll Foundation (Vancouver, WA); Simon's Fund (Philadelphia, PA); Nicholas Ryan Over Foundation/Take it to Heart (Carlisle/Harrisburg, PA); and Young Hearts for Life, Midwest Heart Foundation (Chicago, IL).

Parent Heart Watch (PHW), is the national voice solely dedicated to preventing Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) in youth.  PHW stresses the importance of early detection of heart conditions in youth which can lead to Sudden Cardiac Death. Along with a comprehensive physical examination, family history and attentiveness to the warning signs and symptoms of a heart condition, the addition of an electrocardiogram (ECG), a simple, noninvasive test, is critical to help reveal the presence of a heart condition which might not otherwise be evident. 

To learn more about Screen Across America screening dates and time, and SCA in youth, visit www.screenacrossamerica.org.