Free heart screening for 12- to 25-year-olds on Nov. 2

Free heart screening for 12- to 25-year-olds on Nov. 2

(SACRAMENTO)

One in 300 youth has an undiagnosed heart condition that can result in sudden cardiac arrest. The Kyle J. Taylor Foundation (KJTF), in collaboration with UC Davis Health and Project ADAM Sacramento, is hosting a free youth heart screening event to help identify young people who may have an undiagnosed heart condition.

Inside of a medical tent, a boy lies on a table while a female volunteer puts probes on his chest. A man sits with a laptop at a table.
One participant receives a heart screening within a medical tent.

The free screening will be on Sunday, Nov. 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Monterey Trail High School, 8661 Power Inn Road in Elk Grove. The event is for those ages 12 to 25.

The screening takes about 40 minutes to complete. It includes a cardiac risk assessment, an electrocardiogram (EKG) and a physician review. Echocardiograms will also be available upon request by the physician.

The EKG is a simple and painless test that records the heart’s electrical activity using small sticky electrode patches attached to the skin of the chest. Structural and electrical heart issues that can cause sudden cardiac arrest in young people can often be detected in an EKG or echocardiogram.

The purpose of the screening is to help prevent sudden cardiac arrest risk in children and young adults, which can occur during sporting events. Annual physical examinations and sports pre-participation physical exams, which are required for sports participation, can miss about 85 to 90% of issues that can cause sudden cardiac arrest in youth.

Register to get your heart screened.

About Kyle J. Taylor Foundation

The Kyle J. Taylor Foundation was started in 2018 in honor of Kyle Taylor, who passed away in February 2018 from sudden cardiac arrest at the age of 18.  Kyle was always a loving, kind, spirited, healthy young man with no known heart issues.  His family wanted to honor Kyle’s legacy by bringing awareness to sudden cardiac arrest in youth, the steps to prevent it, and how to respond to it.  By doing this important work, the foundation’s mission is to help prevent another family from losing their child or loved one to sudden cardiac arrest. To learn more about the foundation, visit the website.

About Project ADAM Sacramento

Project ADAM is committed to saving lives by preventing sudden cardiac death where young people learn and play. It is not enough to simply have an automated external defibrillator (AED) in the building – having a documented plan, a designated and prepared response team and a regularly practiced emergency response drill are critical to success. Project ADAM provides the foundation for schools and community organizations to develop their programs by providing resources, education and training. Project ADAM can help your school or organization become Heart Safe. Visit the website for more information.