Photo caption: Dr. Anthony Rossi provides an ECG to teen basketball player Edgar Martinez of Coral Gables.

“Every three days, sudden cardiac death takes the life of a young U.S. athlete, such as a girl playing soccer, a boy at basketball practice or a high school football player,” said Dr. Anthony Rossi, Medical Director of the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at Miami Children's Hospital.  “Often these young people die without exhibiting advance signs of a heart problem,” he said.  What’s more, a typical school or sports physical examination won’t detect a potentially dangerous heart problem.” 

“An ECG can help identify children with heart anomalies so that they can receive the treatment they need for a long and healthy life,” said Dr. Rossi. “No child should die from a preventable cause. Please consider this free screening test as a gift to your family.”  

The screenings are available by appointment the hospital’s main campus near Coral Gables, as well as at Miami Children's outpatient centers in Doral, Palmetto Bay, West Kendall and Weston. In addition, the hospital has conducted several community screenings, including events held at the Palmetto Bay YMCA in November, utilizing the hospital’s Health on Wheels mobile health unit.

Anyone wishing to schedule an ECG for their child can do so by calling (305) 662-8301.