With the goal of “saving just one life, preventing even one cardiac death in a high school athlete,” heart rhythm specialists at Huntington Hospital have partnered with the Electrophysiology Nurse Practitioners of Long Island (EPNP) to provide free electrocardiogram (EKG) screenings to high school athletes.

Pre-participation cardiac screenings for athletes are recommended by a variety of professional organizations, including the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology. EKG is a non-invasive means for detecting potentially fatal cardiac abnormalities, including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the condition that William Floyd High School senior Corey Stark had been diagnosed with at age 12. The youngster collapsed and died during a club rugby team practice on Tuesday.

“Sudden death during sport is often the first and tragic manifestation of underlying cardiovascular disease,” said Huntington Hospital electrophysiologist Kent Stephenson, MD. He noted that most cardiovascular conditions leading to sudden cardiac death have no warning symptoms. Although there are no national guidelines that recommend that EKGs be routinely performed on high school athletes, a study of the practice in Italy found a 90% reduction in sudden cardiac deaths. “The EKG is a simple, easily performed non-invasive tool,” he said.

“If we can prevent even one athlete from collapsing on the field, we will have achieved our goal in launching this initiative,” said Huntington Hospital’s Carol Patrick, ACNP, who is coordinating the project.

Routine EKG screening of student athletes on Long Island is a rarity. Schneider Children’s Hospital in New Hyde Park, which like Huntington Hospital is a member of the North Shore-LIJ Health System, provides screenings at select area high schools.

Through the program, Huntington Hospital and EPNP will bring EKG machines and personnel to participating high schools across Long Island. Any student with parental consent will have the opportunity to have an EKG. Test results will be provided to the parents as well as the child’s primary care physician. Interested school districts may contact Carol Patrick at (631) 351-2675.

Media Contact: Theresa Jacobellis
(631) 351-7040