www.swmedicalcenter.org
3
THE LOS S OF YOUNG ATHL E T E S I N OUR
community in recent years has raised the visibility of
sudden cardiac arrest among active teens. And many
parents are wondering if their own children are at risk.
An EKG, along with an echocardiogram, would very
likely have detected a heart defect in Quinn Driscoll,
a 13-year-old student athlete at Wy’East Middle School.
Driscoll died in 2009 after having a cardiac arrest while
running on the track during gym class.
Quinn had undiagnosed
hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
(
HCM), a serious heart
condition that is the leading
cause of sudden cardiac death
in young athletes. It is believed to exist in roughly 1 out of
500
individuals. Approximately one case of sudden cardiac
death occurs every three days in organized youth sports
across the United States.
PeaceHealth Southwest partners with the Quinn
Driscoll Foundation to offer Young Champions,
an advanced screening program designed to spot
HCM and other common causes of sudden cardiac
arrest in teen athletes.
This is an incredible opportunity for the kids of Clark
County. These types of screenings are expensive, and
there is controversy in the medical field about whether
EKGs or echocardiograms should be offered to every
teenager who participates in athletic activities.
“
It’s important to note that Young Champions is funded
almost entirely by our own community,” explains Matt
Nipper, MS, RCEP, screening clinic coordinator. “We
would not be able to offer these advanced screenings if not
for the multitude of volunteers who provide services or
donate supplies and equipment to make this happen.”
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Any Clark County middle or high school athlete, band
member or cheerleader from 12 to 18 years old is eligible
for a Young Champions screening.
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE SCREENING?
●●
Review of child’s personal and family health history
●●
Blood pressure check
●●
ECG/EKG (electrocardiogram)
●●
Echocardiogram
Should you
screen
your teen?
Matt Nipper, MS, RCEP
PeaceHealth Heart &
Vascular Center
200
NE Mother Joseph Place,
Suite 400
Vancouver, WA 98664
Phone: 360-514-4444
CHECK THE INDEX!
Body mass index (BMI)
is a measure of body fat
based on height and weight
and is used to screen for
weight categories that may
lead to health problems.
The normal weight range
lies between 18.5 and
24.9.
Calculate your BMI
at
YourTimeToLose.org
.
My BMI is __________.
HEALTH CHECK TIPS
FOR A HEALTHY YEAR
When:
Saturday, Feb. 23
Where:
PeaceHealth Southwest
Medical Center
Info:
Register online at
swHeartCheck.org
.
Weekly screenings are also
offered at PeaceHealth Southwest
Medical Center for a $50 fee, half
of which is donated to the Quinn
Driscoll Foundation.