| Cardiac Arrhythmia Syndromes Foundation |
"Screening Hearts and Saving Lives"
Why Screen:
Screening Is Supported By Some of The Greatest Minds in Medicine
“1 in 500 people have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the leading cause of sudden death in young
athletes, most have no idea they are afflicted. A screening electrocardiogram can often identify this as
well as other life threatening conditions. Thus the ECG has the potential to save not only the life of the
athlete, but also to alert family members who may be in danger.”
“The majority of instances of sudden death in sports are due to a preexisting condition, most of which
can’t be recognized on a physical exam, but many of which can be detected with electrocardiogram.”
“Sudden cardiac death in athletes nearly always has a totally unsuspected genetic or familial basis,
but is preventable through discovery by screening, including tests like electrocardiography as offered to
parents and schools by HeartScreen America.”
Screening Is Supported By Some of The Greatest Institutions in Medicine
Observational data regarding risk stratification for SCD in HCM at present support testing with ECG,
………, in addition to obtaining a personal and family history.
Clinical screening of first-degree relatives and other family members should be encouraged.
Therefore, when a DNA-based diagnosis is not feasible, the recommended clinical strategies for
screening family members employ history and physical examination, 12-lead ECG, and two-
dimensional echocardiography at annual evaluations during adolescence (12 to18 years of age)
America’s Foremost Expert and the Country’s Preeminent Institution
"Sudden death in young athletes due to heart disease is an important public health problem.
Screening large athlete populations for heart disease carries with it the potential for preventing these
tragedies. However, the large population athlete screening process is deceptively complex. It is our
clear aspiration that ………..will become a model for such efforts throughout the country, and in the
process will in fact save lives."
However, this view [screening with a 12-lead ECG is not prudent and practical] represents a
perspective on large-scale national screening programs and is not intended to actively discourage
individual local efforts.
……the panel does not arbitrarily oppose volunteer-based athlete screening programs with
noninvasive testing performed selectively on a smaller scale in local communities if well designed and
prudently implemented.
The Advocate's Perspective
For patients and families at risk for SCD due to heart rhythm disorders, an abnormal 12-lead
electrocardiogram often yields the first critical clues of serious underlying disease.
Screening Is Supported By Some of The Greatest Minds in Medicine
“1 in 500 people have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the leading cause of sudden death in young
athletes, most have no idea they are afflicted. A screening electrocardiogram can often identify this as
well as other life threatening conditions. Thus the ECG has the potential to save not only the life of the
athlete, but also to alert family members who may be in danger.”
- Sylvan L. Weinberg, MD, MACC
Clinical Professor of Medicine, Wright State University School of Medicine,
and Past President of the American College of Cardiology
“The majority of instances of sudden death in sports are due to a preexisting condition, most of which
can’t be recognized on a physical exam, but many of which can be detected with electrocardiogram.”
- Richard Lewis, MD, FACC
Former Professor of Medicine, Ohio State University School of Medicine,
and Past President of the American College of Cardiology
“Sudden cardiac death in athletes nearly always has a totally unsuspected genetic or familial basis,
but is preventable through discovery by screening, including tests like electrocardiography as offered to
parents and schools by HeartScreen America.”
- David H. Spodick, MD, DSc, FACC
Professor of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School
Screening Is Supported By Some of The Greatest Institutions in Medicine
Observational data regarding risk stratification for SCD in HCM at present support testing with ECG,
………, in addition to obtaining a personal and family history.
- American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Foundation/Heart Rhythm
Society Scientific Statement on Noninvasive Risk Stratification Techniques for Identifying
Patients at Risk for Sudden Cardiac Death
Clinical screening of first-degree relatives and other family members should be encouraged.
Therefore, when a DNA-based diagnosis is not feasible, the recommended clinical strategies for
screening family members employ history and physical examination, 12-lead ECG, and two-
dimensional echocardiography at annual evaluations during adolescence (12 to18 years of age)
- American College of Cardiology/European Society of Cardiology Clinical Expert Consensus
Document on Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
America’s Foremost Expert and the Country’s Preeminent Institution
"Sudden death in young athletes due to heart disease is an important public health problem.
Screening large athlete populations for heart disease carries with it the potential for preventing these
tragedies. However, the large population athlete screening process is deceptively complex. It is our
clear aspiration that ………..will become a model for such efforts throughout the country, and in the
process will in fact save lives."
- Barry J. Maron, MD
However, this view [screening with a 12-lead ECG is not prudent and practical] represents a
perspective on large-scale national screening programs and is not intended to actively discourage
individual local efforts.
……the panel does not arbitrarily oppose volunteer-based athlete screening programs with
noninvasive testing performed selectively on a smaller scale in local communities if well designed and
prudently implemented.
- American Heart Association
The Advocate's Perspective
For patients and families at risk for SCD due to heart rhythm disorders, an abnormal 12-lead
electrocardiogram often yields the first critical clues of serious underlying disease.
- Universal ECG Screening: The Advocate's Perspective (article begins on the lower right)
by Mary Jo Gordon, Executive Director, C.A.R.E. Foundation, Inc.
EPLab Digest - September 2007
In Memory of Marc Uglietto, son of Jayne Vining
www.SafeBeat.org
A nonprofit, tax exempt corporation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
© 2008-2010 Cardiac Arrhythmia Syndromes Foundation. All Rights Reserved.
We want to thank HeartScreen America, Inc. for its generous support of the Cardiac Arrhythmia Syndromes Foundation. We are most
appreciative. www.HeartScreenAmerica.com
Cardiac Arrhythmia Syndromes Foundation
300 Ballardvale Street
Suite 201
Andover, MA 01810
United States
ph: 978-474-8008
www.SafeBeat.org
A nonprofit, tax exempt corporation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
© 2008-2010 Cardiac Arrhythmia Syndromes Foundation. All Rights Reserved.
We want to thank HeartScreen America, Inc. for its generous support of the Cardiac Arrhythmia Syndromes Foundation. We are most
appreciative. www.HeartScreenAmerica.com
Cardiac Arrhythmia Syndromes Foundation
300 Ballardvale Street
Suite 201
Andover, MA 01810
United States
ph: 978-474-8008
SafeBeat.org
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
 |
