Screening Could Detect Heart Disease in Student-Athletes Early

HEART SCREENINGS7.jpg

COLUMBIA, SC (WACH) -- This doctor's visit is focused on finding a potentially deadly disease that affects 1 in 400 people.

Student athletes are primarily the ones to undergo this procedure. Students at the School of Cardiovascular Technology at Providence Health are searching for abnormal blood flow and thickening of the heart. Dan Chambers is the director of the program. "The main thing we look for is Hypertrophic Cardio Myopathy which is the number one cardiac cause of death on the field for athletes," Chambers said." Cardiac ultrasound is the goal standard in diagnosing hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy."

Chambers said if the blood is moving too fast or if it's restricted that's a red flag something is wrong. While there are no exact symptoms of the disease he warns about being extra vigilant during the summer. "Heat will play a factor in physical activity of kids just because as we are out there working out or being really active in the heat,” Chambers said. “There's a bigger chance of dehydration, bigger chance of dizziness."

While the odds are rare experts recommend you have at least one heart screening in your lifetime. With temperatures expected to be near the triple digits over the weekend, they recommend you drink plenty of water.

Story Credit: http://wach.com/news/local/screening-could-detect-heart-disease-in-student-athletes-early