Woodhaven-Brownstown School District in conjunction with our partner, Corewell Health, are offering a free heart health screening to our athletes ages 13-18 years old at Woodhaven High School.
Students must pre register for the event, which will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 28, 2024.
Corewell Children’s Student Heart Check offers students aged 13 to 18 the opportunity to participate in a series of free heart screening tests that could save their lives. The event will be held at Woodhaven High in the gym: 24787 Van Horn Rd, Brownstown, MI 48134. Registration for this event is currently open only to Woodhaven students until September 9th, after that date registration becomes open to the public and any remaining appointments will fill very quickly.
The program combines a simple health history with a noninvasive screening to look for signs of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a serious heart condition that is the leading cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes. HCM affects approximately one in 500 people and does not usually have any symptoms.
To date the Corewell Children’s Student Heart Check Program has screened 20,991 students:
• 2,176 students could continue sports, but were recommended to follow up with their pediatrician.
• 231 students were advised to stop sports until further evaluation by a cardiologist for a variety of cardiac abnormalities.
• 9 students were later diagnosed with HCM. Multiple other students, upon follow up were diagnosed with other significant heart abnormalities that needed attention.
Jennifer Shea, Corewell Children’s Student Heart Check Program Manager, said she wants to stress the importance of students getting checked out, especially if they have had symptoms before.
“Pay attention to your body and symptoms, report chest pains or fainting or shortness of breath, or if your heart races in a way when it shouldn’t be, it's something to bring to the attention of their family,” Shea said. “We want students to feel comfortable about speaking up - and that it’s important to follow up with your physician if you're having any symptoms.”
Once you have registered online, please download, and complete the necessary paperwork and return it with your child on the day of the screening. Please note, screening appointment times are approximate and can take 60 minutes or more during our busiest times. Appointments are set so that we have a constant flow of arriving students; they do not indicate the exact time your student will be seen. We are here to give each student a thorough screening and delays happen at times. Your patience and understanding are appreciated. Guardians do not go into the screening area with their students, but are welcome to wait in the gym during the screening.
Students will bring their consent forms to the screening. Guardians are not required to attend if the forms are signed. Required forms that are provided when you register include:
• student/athlete medical history questionnaire
• program consent – must be signed by the guardian
• Beaumont media consent (please complete even if opting out)
On the day of the screening, teens should wear a t-shirt and comfortable pants/shorts. Females should wear a regular bra (sports bras are not recommended). We want to assure you that your student’s confidentiality, privacy, and individual modesty will be respected throughout all aspects of the program.
The screening is completely painless and non-invasive (no needles or X-ray exposure). Here’s how it works:
• Each student’s blood pressure is taken, and then they learn how to perform hands-only CPR and how to use an AED. Parents, please join your student to learn CPR/AED.
• A cardiologist will review the student’s medical history questionnaire and listen to the student’s
heart with a stethoscope.
• The student will receive an EKG screening where small patches with a mild adhesive are placed on their chest, legs and arms. Electrodes are then attached to the patches and the heart’s electrical activity is recorded.
• A small amount of gel is applied to the student’s chest for the focused echocardiogram, where sound waves are used to provide the cardiologist with a moving picture of the heart.
The data we collect may be used by Corewell Health researchers to add to the scientific knowledge of sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes. The data will be reported anonymously. Student privacy and confidentiality will be maintained.
Please direct all questions to Jennifer Shea at jennifer.shea@corewellhealth.org