Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) occurring in young athletes has been in the news recently. Often an underlying genetic heart condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopahty (HCM) is the most common cause. This is a genetic abnormality causing an enlarged left ventricle in the heart, which can trigger fatal heart rhythms. Rhythm disturbances are a second reason.
Currently there is no national screening standard for high school and college athletes in the U.S. The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association (AHA) recommend that schools conduct pre participation screening that consists of a physical examination and a medical history (which some consider just as important as the physical itself).
A series of questions have been recommended by the AHA for cardiac screening. WVCSD includes these on the health history form for Sports Participation. If you answer yes to any of these questions the Warwick Valley CSD Medical Director is requiring cardiac clearance before your student can participate in sports. This requirement is to ensure the safety of your child when there is a personal or family history of heart disease.
If you have any questions regarding this requirement please contact your family physician before submitting a sports physical for clearance by the WVCSD Medical Director AND before the start of high school sports seasons. This will ensure that your child is ready to participate in the sport of his/her choice.
Marguerite Adams RN, BSN
Coordinator Health & Attendance
Revised 8-22-2013