PORTLAND, Ore. - It's a silent killer for many student athletes: unknown heart conditions.
In North Portland Saturday, cardiologists, pediatricians and electrocardiograph (EKG or ECG) technicians performed tests on more than 300 teen athletes at the Memorial Coliseum.
The annual Teen Athlete Cardiac Screening started four years ago, after the 2005 death of 17-year-old Central Catholic basketball player David Heller. He died after a game from an undiagnosed heart condition.
Heller's mom started the event to make sure the condition that killed her son won't kill other kids.
The screening process also can help pick up some rare heart-rhythm issues, which can put kids at risk for sudden death.
"If I had a heart irregularity I'd be glad that they caught it here," said Tucker Johnson, a young student athlete, "instead of ... when I'm out playing sports."
For those who missed Saturday's screening, any pediatrician can provide the same tests to make sure your child has a healthy heart.
Do you have a story to tell? Become a community blogger!
