FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Janet Long
Public Relations Manager
815-705-7009
Morris Hospital Brings Rhythm of Our Youth Cardiac Screening to Ottawa H.S.
October 13, 2023, MORRIS, IL – Morris Hospital is bringing its free Rhythm of Our Youth cardiac screening to Ottawa H.S. students on November 2 and 3 during the school day. The purpose of the screening is to identify high school students who have an undiagnosed cardiac abnormality that could result in sudden cardiac death.
Rhythm of Our Youth was first launched in 2016 as a result of funding provided by generous donors to the Morris Hospital Foundation. Since then, over 8,000 area high school students have been screened through the program.
On the screening day, a team of specially trained volunteers from Morris Hospital perform electrocardiogram (ECG) screenings free of charge to students who have received parental permission to participate. An electrocardiogram is a non-invasive, painless test that measures the electrical activity of the heart and detects certain heart abnormalities that can lead to sudden cardiac death.
Screenings are typically held during PE class or study hall, depending on student schedules. The test takes about three minutes to complete.
Based on the results of the screenings, about 3 percent of students are referred to their physician for additional follow-up. Typically, less than 1 percent are found to have a medical 150 West High Street Morris, IL 60450 815/942-2932 www.morrishospital.org
problem that requires cardiac intervention. Results are sent home to the student’s parents and are not shared with the school.
Parents of Ottawa H.S. students are encouraged to complete an electronic consent form on the hospital’s website so their students can participate in the screening. The form can be found on morrishospital.org/rooy.
Sudden cardiac death claims more than 2,000 lives of children and adolescents in the United States each year. Most victims of sudden cardiac death have had underlying heart conditions that could have been detected through a simple ECG.
For more information or to volunteer at a Rhythm of Our Youth screening event, go to www.morrishospital.org/rooy.