What to Expect at a Play for Patrick Youth Heart Screening
The screening tests performed during the Play for Patrick Youth Heart Screening are NOT meant to be comprehensive or diagnostic quality. They are NOT a substitute for medical evaluation and professional care. Screening tests, by definition, are not able or meant to identify all cardiovascular conditions that pose risk to athletes. Even with negative testing, there is still a possibility that an undiagnosed cardiac condition could exist and cause harm.
- Students MUST PRINT & BRING their completed Heart Health Survey form and Participation for Agreement and Consent form from home to the heart screening Student Check-In station at their designated sign-up time. If you need to reprint your registration, please follow the instructions here: REGISTRATION RE-PRINT
- A parent/guardian must electronically sign the Parental/Guardian Consent for Participation (if under age 18). We will NOT be able to screen any student who does not have their forms completed and signed by a parent (if under age 18).
- The entire screening and CPR/AED training will take 30-60 minutes to complete.
- You will go through a series of "stations" to complete your heart screening. Station content, order and staffing may be streamlined or consolidated based on availability of personnel and equipment. None of these tests will hurt you or cause pain. Our goal is to make this event a fun, relaxed learning experience for all students.
Check-in station
When you arrive, you will go to the Check-In Station. Once we receive all your paperwork and verify that it is all complete, you will receive a clipboard with your paperwork and you will proceed to the Blood Pressure Station.
Blood pressure station
You will sit down and have your blood pressure taken on both of your arms. Blood pressure is the pressure of the circulating blood against the walls of the blood vessels. Once your blood pressure is taken and recorded, boys and girls will separate for further screening.
At this point in the screening process, Girls and Boys will separate. Girls will go to the GIRLS side of the gym and they will change into a paper examination gown and in the designated, private “changing room tent”. Boys will go to the BOYS side of the gym and they will remove their shirt to continue the screening process. No parents are allowed in the screening tent areas.
Height & weight station
Your height and weight will be taken. Next, you will proceed to the EKG Station.
EKG (Electrocardiogram) Station
An electrocardiogram is a test used to monitor your heart. Each beat of your heart is triggered by an electrical impulse normally generated from special cells in your heart. An electrocardiogram (EKG) records these electrical signals as they travel through your heart. Your doctor can use an electrocardiogram to look for patterns among these heartbeats and rhythms. An EKG is a painless test that takes about 30 seconds. You will lay on a table and our professional staff will apply ECG stickers on your chest, arms and legs. Wires will be hooked up to these stickers. These wires connect to an EKG machine. Female volunteers will provide EKG’s to the girls. Modesty will be maintained for girls. Next, you will proceed to the Heart Sounds & Physical Exam Station.
Heart sounds & physical exam
A Physician or an Advanced Practice Provider will listen to your heart and review your Heart Health Survey. You will then proceed to the Echocardiogram station.
Echocardiogram station
An echocardiogram is a test that uses sound waves to produce images of your heart. This commonly used test allows your doctor to see how your heart is beating and pumping blood. Your doctor can use the images from an echocardiogram to identify various abnormalities in the heart muscle and valves. The ultrasound technician will put ultrasound gel on your chest and use an ultrasound probe to view your heart by placing it on your chest. Images of your heart will appear on the ultrasound monitor. Female volunteers will provide Echocardiograms to the girls. After the ultrasound is complete, you will be instructed to change back into your clothing and then proceed to the CPR/AED Station.
CPR/AED station
You and your parent (if present) will have the opportunity to visit the CPR/AED education station during the screening process to learn or review "hands only" CPR and how to use a basic Automated External Defibrillator (AED). After your training, you will proceed to the MD Consultation Station which is located in the middle of the gym in between the Boys & Girls tents.
MD consultation
Once the tests are completed, you and your parent (if present) will meet with a Physician/Advanced Practice Provider. Your tests will be reviewed and you will have the opportunity to ask questions about your heart screening. In the event that your test(s) indicate further physician follow-up, a Play for Patrick representative, Cardiologist and School Administrator/Counselor will assist you with contacting your parent(s) to discuss the results and recommended follow-up.
Check-out station
After you have reviewed all of your results, you will proceed to the Check-out station. There you will hand in your paperwork and clip-board to the volunteer staff. You will take home a copy of your screening results.
Thank you for participating in a Play for Patrick Heart Screening!
PLAY WITH HEART ~ PLAY FOR PATRICK