Sudden cardiac death claims over 2,000 lives of children and adolescents annually in the United States due to undetected heart conditions that could have been revealed by a simple electrocardiogram (ECG). Morris Hospital will provide cardiac screenings through its Rhythm of Our Youth program at Ottawa High School on November 2 and 3 and Dwight High School on November 16.
These screenings aim to detect undiagnosed cardiac abnormalities in high school students, which could potentially lead to sudden cardiac death. Established in 2016 with funding from the Morris Hospital Foundation, Rhythm of Our Youth has screened over 8,000 local high school students.
On screening days, a trained Morris Hospital volunteer will conduct free (ECG) tests for students with parental consent. ECG is a painless, non-invasive procedure that measures heart electrical activity, identifying potential abnormalities linked to sudden cardiac death.
Screenings are scheduled during physical education (PE) classes or study hall periods, taking approximately three minutes per student. Following the screenings, about three percent of students are referred to their physicians for further evaluation, with less than one percent requiring cardiac intervention.
Results are confidentially shared with parents, not the school. Parents of Ottawa High School and Dwight High School students are encouraged to complete an electronic consent form on the hospital’s website at morrishospital.org/rooy.
To learn more or volunteer for a Rhythm of Our Youth screening event, visit https://www.morrishospital.org/resources/other/rhythm-of-our-youth/.