North Hunterdon High School will host a cardiac screening program for young adults aged 14 to 20 on November 19, 2011 in the school nurse’s office from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Two rooms will be used and appointments will be scheduled every 6 minutes.
Since 2006, there have been 33 children in the State of New Jersey alone who have suffered sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Sadly, 28 lost their lives and only 5 survived. Heart problems among high school students have been the subject of increased scrutiny statewide. The State Department of Education has introduced legislation to establish an awareness program for “Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy” – or an enlarged heart, one of the most common causes of SCA in student athletes. HCM can be entirely silent in terms of symptoms and can escape detection during routine athletic physicals.
In order to detect heart disease in young adults, it is recommended that they be screened using an EKG or electrocardiogram, to detect heart blockages or other diseases. The ECHO (ultrasound) or Echocardiogram is specifically designed to diagnose HCM (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy). While the EKG is the same as one would get at a hospital or doctor’s office, the ECHO screening does not constitute a full ultrasound screening. In the event that the screening picks up any abnormality, the athlete will not be medically cleared to play a sport until the high school nurse receives a note from a cardiologist clearing the student to return to sports and physical activity.
In order to participate in the cardiac screening a Parent/Guardian Consent Form (click here) must be completed, signed and returned to the NHHS Nurse’s Office by November 18, 2011 with a check in the amount of $70 made payable to CSYA or Cardiac Screening for Young Adults. Once the school nurse receives the completed form and check, the student will be assigned a time for the screening and a parent/guardian will then be notified. For those students receiving financial assistance at school, there will be no charge for the screening, but a Parent/Guardian Consent Form must still be submitted to the school nurse’s office prior to the screening date. Parents/guardians will have the opportunity to observe their child’s screening and speak with a cardiologist on the day of the screening. Please note that females should wear a sports bra.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact a NHHS school nurse at 908-713-4171.