It is estimated that up to 7,000 American teens die every year from undetected heart conditions
VANCOUVER — PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver, and PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center in Longview will offer free heart screenings for teenagers this coming Saturday.
It is estimated that up to 7,000 American teens die every year from undetected heart conditions. Those who appear in the best of health are at the greatest risk of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), as SCA is three times more likely to strike youth athletes than their less active friends. Â Many of those deaths could be prevented through basic testing, education, and parental awareness.
In Cowlitz County, PeaceHealth St. John is excited to partner with Spencer’s HeartStrong Foundation for the 7th consecutive year, offering free screenings to local student athletes. In Clark County, PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center is partnering with the Quinn Driscoll Foundation for the 9th consecutive year of free community screenings. Both organizations will happily accept donations, which will go to enhance emergency cardiac care in the community.
HOW TO REGISTER:
In Clark County:
Young Champions Teen Heart Screenings
PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center – Firstenburg Tower
Sat., Feb. 23 from 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Register online at www.peacehealth.org/southwest/young-champions-teen-heart-screenings
In Cowlitz County:
Spencer’s HeartStrong Teen Heart Screenings
PeaceHealth Medical Group Lakefront Clinic
Sat., Feb. 23 from 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Register online at www.stopyouthsca.org/
Screening includes:
ECG/EKG
Abbreviated echocardiogram (based on family history and/or ECG findings)
Blood pressure check
Review of personal and family health history.
No physician referral is required, and all results are confidential.
Who is eligible?
Any middle or high school athlete, band member or cheerleader from 12-18 years old is eligible. Although designed for the student athlete, this screening also accommodates all children in the age group who may be at risk. This screening does not take the place of the pre-performance examination requirement for all student athletes who wish to participate in a school sport.
About PeaceHealth: PeaceHealth, based in Vancouver, Wash., is a not-for-profit Catholic health system offering care to communities in Washington, Oregon and Alaska. PeaceHealth has approximately 16,000 caregivers, a group practice with more than 900 providers and 10 medical centers serving both urban and rural communities throughout the Northwest. In 1890, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace founded what has become PeaceHealth. The Sisters shared expertise and transferred wisdom from one medical center to another, always finding the best way to serve the unmet need for healthcare in their communities. Today, PeaceHealth is the legacy of the founding Sisters and continues with a spirit of respect, stewardship, collaboration and social justice in fulfilling its Mission. Visit us online at peacehealth.org.
About the Quinn Driscoll Foundation:
The Quinn Driscoll Foundation is named for 13-year-old Quinn Driscoll, a student athlete at Wy’ East Middle School who died in 2009 after suffering cardiac arrest while running on the track during gym class. Quinn had undiagnosed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a serious heart condition that is the leading cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes. Learn more at www.quinndriscollfoundation.org
About Spencers HeartStrong Foundation
On September 9, 2012, Spencer Best, an otherwise healthy 16 year old, went to a basketball workout in his high school gym. 30 minutes later, he collapsed…his heart stopped working. His  coach and a nearby adult began the “chain of survival” by calling 911 and starting CPR. An AED arrived and delivered a shock to Spencer’s heart nearly 8 minutes later. Because of the actions of adult bystanders, his coach, and medical first responders, Spencer was able to survive his Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), and have another chance at life
