Screens for Teens Completes Nearly 50,000 EKG Tests

Submitted by The Mas Schewitz Foundation.

The Max Schewitz Foundation, based in Lake Bluff, recently concluded it’s Screens for Teens program for the fall 2014 school year. The free school-wide EKG screening program has now tested 49,545 students and found more than 1,050 students who required further medical evaluation.

“Each time, we find at least one student who requires follow up,” said Mary Beth Schewitz, executive director of The Max Schewitz Foundation. “It’s hard to believe we’ve tested almost 50,000 students, but it also shows the need for our work. We’ll keep screening until an EKG becomes a standard of care in our country, like they are in many other countries.”

While the Foundation does not follow the students after referral, parents often contact the nonprofit to share outcomes and from them we can report:

· Two had open-heart surgery to correct defects often found on autopsy

· Several have confirmed cases of HCM, the condition that claims most athlete’s lives

· 1 in 1,000 or about 45 have WPW—a potentially life-threatening condition detected by EKG which can be cured with an outpatient procedure.

· Dozens have Long QT, another potentially life-threatening condition that can vary in intensity and treatment.

Screens for Teens, the Foundation’s school-wide EKG screening program is administered by trained parent volunteers and the EKGs are interpreted by Dr.Eli Lavie, Medical Director of the Max Schewitz Foundation.

The Foundation plans to bring its free EKG testing to three area high schools during the spring semester, including Deerfield, Grayslake North and Wauconda For a complete listing of upcoming events and testing dates, visit:www.ekgyourteen.org.