Every three days, sudden cardiac death takes the life of a young
seemingly healthy U.S. athlete.
It’s a statistic that has galvanized a
team at Miami Children’s Hospital to offer free screenings for middle
and high school athletes, with the aim of identifying those at risk –
and, ultimately, saving lives.
Since 2012, nearly 1,500 young athletes have received free EKGs
through theprogram. Approximately10percentwere referred tocongenital
cardiologists for additional testing to rule out heart disorders.
For the Lorenzen family of Miami, the screening program may well have
meant the difference between life and death.
Following a screening at Miami Children’s main campus in 2013,
Andrew Lorenzen, an apparently healthy lacrosse player attending
Ransom Everglades School was identified as having Wolff Parkinson
White Syndrome, a high-risk condition that can result in sudden cardiac
death during athletic activities. Andrew, now 13, later underwent a
minimally invasive procedure that made it possible for him to return to
sports without restrictions.
The free screenings are available by appointment at eight Miami
Children’s Health System locations, including the hospital’s main
campus in Schenley Park near Coral Gables, as well as at MCH out-
patient centers in Doral, Miami Lakes, Midtown, Miramar, Palm Beach
Gardens, Palmetto Bay and West Kendall.
For more information or to schedule an appointment please call
The Heart Program at Miami Children’s Hospital toll-free at
(855) MCH-EKGS or (855) 624-3547.
Receiving a free EKG is not conditioned on ordering any other item or
service from Miami Children’s Hospital or its medical staff.
A typical school or
sports physical
examination won’t
detect a potentially
dangerous heart
problem, but an EKG
will identify children
with heart anomalies
so that they can receive
the treatment they need
for a long and healthy
life. No child should
die from a preventable
cause. I hope all
South Florida parents
will consider having
their child tested.”
Dr. Anthony Rossi
Head, Cardiac Critical Care
Miami Children’s Hospital
”
Save
Andrew Lorenzen
EKG Screening Program a Potential
Life-Saver for Miami Teen
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