Oswego East High School Students Receive Free EKGs

OSWEGO, IL -More than 1,400 students attending Oswego East High School were recently given free EKGs thanks to a life-saving health program by Young Hearts for Life (YH4L).

On Oct. 27, during the YH4L Cardiac Screening Program, some students were found with conditions which could lead to sudden cardiac death, said Theresa Komitas, a spokesperson for Community Unit School District 308.

The YH4L Cardiac Screening Program identifies high school and college students at risk for sudden cardiac death. Each week sudden cardiac death claims the lives of more than 60 young adults in the United States, according to YH4L.

YH4L works with area high schools and colleges offering ECG testing to all students free-of-charge. To date, over 150,000 students have been screened and hundreds of young adults have been identified with previously unsuspected, life threatening, cardiac conditions.

According to the organization, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and in Illinois. Dr. Joseph Marek, a clinical cardiologist, seeks to detect young adults at risk for sudden cardiac death, and increase community awareness of this devastating problem.

For more information, visit www.YH4L.org.