Max Schewitz Foundation Completes 2018-2019 EKG Screenings

The Max Schewitz Foundation completed it’s 2018-2019 EKG screening program on April 24, 2019 at Deerfield High School. The school-wide EKG screening program began in 2005 following the sudden death of Max Schewitz. To date, the Foundation has now provided 87,706 EKG’s and 2,375 limited echocardiograms. The Foundation has found 870 students with abnormalities who required further medical evaluation.

“We’re grateful for all our parent volunteers and school administrators who make each screening possible,” said Kathy Aykroid, executive director of The Max Schewitz Foundation. “In 13 years, we’ve utilized 6,500 volunteers and found many students who would have not known they had a hidden cardiac condition. Our program will continue until an EKG becomes the standard of care in the U.S.”

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 650 or about 115 students 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.

In 2005, Max died suddenly and unexpectedly at age 20 from an undiagnosed cardiac condition. Like so many other victims of SCD, Max had no previous medical conditions or warning signs. If he had been diagnosed, life-saving treatments could have been implemented.

Heart Smart, the Foundation’s school-wide EKG screening program, is administered by trained parent volunteers and cardiologist Eli Lavie, MD, Medical Director of the Max Schewitz Foundation, oversees all aspects of testing and interpretation

Registration for our 2019/2020 schools will be announced this summer on our web site at www.heartsmartekg.org. Please watch for more details and make sure to sign up your student.

About The Max Schewitz Foundation

Based in Libertyville, Ill., The Max Schewitz Foundation’s dual missions reflect Max’s life and death. His parents and family friends started the Foundation in 2005 after 20-year-old Max died suddenly from a cardiac arrhythmia. The Foundation works to prevent sudden cardiac death (SCD) in young people and to promote conservation of fragile reptile species and their ecosystems. To date, over 87,700 students in Illinois and Wisconsin have received EKG testing from the Foundation and 2,375 students were given limited echocardiograms. The Foundation has found 870 students who required further medical evaluation. To learn more, call Kathy Aykroid at (847) 736-8140 or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.