Cardiac Screening at Dana Hills High School Monday

On Monday, May 7 in the wrestling room at DHHS from 4 to 8 p.m., Heartfelt Cardiac Projects will offer echocardiogram and electrocardiogram screenings to students, parents and family members over the age of 5, faculty and staff members.

In recent years, a rash of high-profile deaths among young, apparently healthy athletes from across the nation has grabbed headlines.

In 2007, SCA claimed Megan Myers, a DHHS cross country runner. Such tragic incidents have raised awareness and demonstrated a need for more comprehensive cardiac screening for young athletes and young people in general. 

A young athlete dies every three days in the U.S. from Sudden Cardiac Arrest. 

These heart screenings typically cost $1,500 and are seldom covered by health insurance plans. This screening is offered by a local nonprofit, Heartfelt Cardiac Projects, for a tax-deductible donation of $85 per person.

The screening process itself is simple, low cost, and carries no health risks. It is a short, painless, ultrasound of the heart, with no side effects. Certified sonographers will administer each test. After filling out a simple health questionnaire, participants will receive their EKG and Echocardiogram, which takes approximately 15-20 minutes to administer.

Results are read by a cardiologist and mailed back to participants within 30 days. Participants who require further evaluation will be referred for further evaluation.

Read about Dillon Gustafson, another young DHHS tennis player identified with a potentially life-threatening heart condition last year at the PTSA DHHS school cardiac screening. She has recovered from life-saving surgery and is back on the courts.  

"Our family is indebted to the Heartfelt Cardiac Project. They saved my daughter from pain and distress by identifying a hidden problem. They saved my family heartache and me from being someone who said 'if only I had known,' " said her mother Jennifer Gustafson. 

Visit heartfeltcardiacprojects.org/dillons-story/ 

To reserve your appointment, please visit “schedule a screening” at heartfeltcardiacprojects.org/schedule-a-screening/ 

Heartfelt Cardiac Projects has offered Dana Hills High this opportunity as part of its mission is to help save lives through early detection, education and increased public awareness of Sudden Cardiac Arrest. Heartfelt screens ages 5 and up -- all community members are welcome at the screening at DHHS as well as walk-ins. 

More screenings available via: heartfeltcardiacprojects.org