Mission
Heart Screen New York organizes free cardiovascular screening for adolescents and young adults. The goals of the screening are:
- To detect cardiovascular conditions with the potential for sudden death in the young.
- To reduce sudden cardiac death through early detection and appropriate medical interventions, activity modification, or withdrawal for athletic participation if recommended by a physician.
- To provide a unique training opportunity for medical students, residents, fellows and practicing physicians to gain experience in cardiovascular screening and ECG interpretation.
- To raise awareness and educate schools and communities about sudden cardiac arrest warning signs and symptoms, and the value of cardiac screening.
The screen consists of a Heart Health Survey investigating signs and symptoms and family history of cardiac conditions, blood pressure and physical examination, and ECG. An on-site echocardiogram is conducted in cases with a positive finding on history, physical examination or ECG. All results are reviewed by cardiologists and physicians experienced in cardiac screening.