Frequently Asked Questions

How long will the screening last?

What do I need to bring to the event?

Will I need to accompany my student to the screening?

Why are only ages 14-18 years screened?

What is an echocardiogram (ECHO)?

How does the ECHO work?

What is a 'limited' ECHO?

Should I attend the screening if my child has been told they have a murmur?

What if you find HCM in my child?

I am not overweight of out of shape, how can I have HCM?

Why don't I hear more about HCM?

My son was screened at age 15, does he need to be re-screened at a later date?

What is the referral rate for students screened at Championship Hearts Foundation events?

 

Answers

How long will the screening last?

Depending on how many people participate in the screening event, the total time to be screened may take 45 minutes. The screening process including height, weight, and blood pressure measures, as well as an ECG and ECHO, takes around 20 minutes.

What do I need to bring to the event?

Students will need to bring signed consent (patient waiver link) forms with them to the event OR be accompanied by a parent/guardian who can sign a consent form available at the venue. Students should wear comfortable clothing (gym attire is suggested).

Will I need to accompany my student to the screening?

No, you will not need to accompany your student to the screening as long as they have signed consent forms at the time of the screening. We recommend coming with your student to the event when possible to ensure that the results are received.

Why are only ages 14-18 years screened?

Risk of developing HCM increases with age and the possibility of having a cardiac event because of HCM increases with physical activity. Ages 14-18 are screened because the heart is closer to maturity and competitive sports participation and/or physical activity may be increased during high school.

What is an echocardiogram (ECHO)?

The echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart) is an extremely useful test for studying the heart's anatomy. It is non-invasive and entirely safe. Your child will lie on an exam table and a sonographer (echo technician) will move a transducer (a device that looks like a computer mouse) against your child’s chest. The technician will apply a gel to your child’s chest to aid in moving the transducer.

How does the ECHO work?

The transducer sends sound waves toward the heart and sound waves bounce off the heart, and are collected by the transducer. These returning sound waves are processed by a computer, assembled into a two-dimensional image of the heart, and displayed on a TV screen.

What is a 'limited' ECHO?

The 'limited' ECHO (4-5 images in black/white) is a cost-effective and time efficient way to provide heart screenings because a full comprehensive ECHO can be expensive and coverage from insurance is not often provided. The 'limited' ECHO focuses on specific areas of the heart and takes about 3 to 5 minutes to scan for defects.

 

Should I attend the screening if my child has been told they have a murmur?

A murmur is the sound of blood moving through the heart. It is often a normal finding, but can be associated with heart abnormalities. Championship Hearts Foundation screenings are for detecting cardiomyopathies and other rhythm abnormalities. We would be happy to screen your child for these conditions, but recommend that if you have been told your child has a murmur to see a pediatric cardiologist for a complete evaluation and to rule out other conditions that are associated with a murmur.

What if you find HCM in my child?

If HCM is found in your child, the physician at the screening will recommend a full evaluation by a pediatric cardiologist to confirm the results and provide continuity of care for HCM.

I am not overweight or out of shape, how can I have HCM?

HCM can be inherited, caused by a gene that is abnormal and codes for the heart muscle. HCM can affect each individual differently and many people never display or develop symptoms. Healthy individuals can possess the abnormality. It can also be acquired as a result of high blood pressure or aging.

Why don't I hear more about HCM?

HCM is relatively rare in the general population. Approximately 1 in 500 people possess the abnormality, but only 1 in 200,000 will have a life threatening event because of the disease. Since these event are very rare, media attention is often not focused on the disease. HCM is usually talked about after an event of sudden cardiac arrest or death in young athletes.

My son was screened at age 15, does he need to be re-screened at a later date?

Unless cardiac symptoms are present, a screening at age 15 or later is usually all that is needed.

 

What is the referral rate for students screened at Championship Hearts Foundation events?

Approximately 1 in 179, or 7 - 9% of students screened receive a referral for a full cardiac evaluation due to a congenital abnormality.