Young Athletes Offered Free Cardiac Screenings At RWJ University Hospital Somerset

SOMERVILLE, NJ — The recent collapse of a St. James School basketball player in Hillsborough and NFL Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin has shined a light on sudden cardiac arrest.

Each year, between 100 and 150 athletes die from sudden cardiac arrest, according to the American College of Cardiology.

"Sudden cardiac arrest is on people's minds," said Dr. Steven Georgeson, a cardiologist at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) Somerset.

A Warren Hills Regional High School student also collapsed this past September during an athletic practice. Read More: Athlete Collapses At Practice, Flown To Morristown Hospital

While these events are recent, the hospital has been offering free cardiac screenings for athletes "well before Damar Hamlin and the kid in Hillsborough," said Georgeson, who added that this year there has been a lot of interest in people signing up.

The hospital at 110 Rehill Ave. in Somerville started offering the yearly free screenings in 2009. Now 13 years later, more than 1,100 young athletes have been screened at RWJUH.

The screening on Saturday, Feb. 4 will be held from 8 a.m. to noon in the hospital’s Cardiac Diagnostic Testing Department.

RWJUH Somerset cardiologists, nurses and technicians will conduct the screenings, which will include a cardiovascular history and physical exam; blood pressure screening; body metrics; and an electrocardiogram.

In addition, an echocardiogram can be performed if indicated. Results will be given to students to share with their personal physicians. A parent or guardian must accompany each student to the cardiac screenings.

Kathleen Roberts, a spokeswoman with RWJUH, commended the doctors and staff for going on Saturday during their own time to conduct the free screenings.

"It's a big benefit to the community," said Roberts.

To get a free screening, appointments are required and can be made by calling 908-685-2414. For more information, visit rwjbh.org/cardiacathleticscreening.

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