Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is a serious heart condition that is the leading cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes. Approximately 1 in 500 of the general population are affected by Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, and it rarely has any identifiable symptoms. Just a few years ago, two Central Texas students died of sudden cardiac arrest. One was playing soccer; the other was practicing for a national band competition. The students' deaths were caused by Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.
A few risk factors for having Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy include being a young person with a history of fainting, having abnormal blood pressure, and having family members who have died suddenly from cardiac arrest.
Young athletes represent the majority of deaths caused by Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy because of the stress put on the heart during strenuous activity.
Though Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy strikes suddenly and rarely has identifiable symptoms, it may be detected with an echocardiogram (ECHO). Because it's an expensive procedure that most insurance programs won't cover, a "two-minute" ECHO technique has been developed that can still be done by a cardiologist for a fraction of the cost. Student athletes are referred for further cardiac evaluation by a pediatric cardiologist if a problem is found during the screening. These screenings are provided free of charge to 14- to 18-year-old Central Texas student athletes, band members, cyclists, cheerleaders and students participating in other strenuous activities.
Committed to saving young lives, Championship Hearts offers a cost-effective, high-quality, innovative method of identifying students with HCM.
Though Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy strikes suddenly and rarely has identifiable symptoms, it may be detected with an echocardiogram (ECHO). Because it's an expensive procedure that most insurance programs won't cover, a "two-minute" ECHO technique has been developed that can still be done by a cardiologist for a fraction of the cost. Student athletes are referred for further cardiac evaluation by a pediatric cardiologist if a problem is found during the screening. These screenings are provided free of charge to 14- to 18-year-old Central Texas student athletes, band members, cyclists, cheerleaders and students participating in other strenuous activities.
Committed to saving young lives, Championship Hearts offers a cost-effective, high-quality, innovative method of identifying students with HCM.
Originally founded in 1999, Championship Hearts Foundation (formerly Austin Heart Foundation) was established in Austin, Texas as the philanthropic arm of the Austin Heart cardiology group, a practice of 43 cardiologists in Central Texas.
Today, Championship Hearts Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) charitable organization that exists to educate and raise awareness about heart disease in the state of Texas by providing programs designed to help with early detection and referrals for treatment.
Championship Hearts Foundation's mission is to help reduce cardiovascular disease in Central Texas by promoting education, awareness, and life-saving technology through our Young Athlete Heart Screening Program.
The Foundation's mission is to make Texas a community for preventing death from cardiovascular disease.
To accomplish this mission, Championship Hearts Foundation offers free heart screenings to Texas high school-ages students to screen for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), a genetic heart disorder that rarely has identifiable symptoms. HCM is a condtion which causes a thickening of the heart wall and can lead to obstruction of blood flow and an erratic heartbeat.
A brief, non-invasive, two-dimensional echocardiogram administered by a certified technician and interpreted by a certified cardiologist has been proven an effective method of detecting HCM. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the leading cause of sudden cardiac arrest in students and the diagnosis of HCM affects approximately one in 500 of the general population.
Addition of ECG to screenings
Championship Hearts Foundation has added an ECG (electrocardiogram) test in addition to the 2-d echocardiogram, which is helpful in detecting other heart diseases in adolescent patients.
Addition of Mobile Screening Model
Insight gained from conducting the Early Cardiovascular Screening Pilot for the State of Texas in 2008-09 revealed a need to establish not only the validity and necessity of the screening for all active students, but also to bring the screening to students who might otherwise not have the resources necessary to attend an event at a downtown hospital facility. Knowledge of whether or not HCM exists in a student athlete can be a life-saving event.
Insight gained from conducting the Early Cardiovascular Screening Pilot for the State of Texas in 2008-09 revealed a need to establish not only the validity and necessity of the screening for all active students, but also to bring the screening to students who might otherwise not have the resources necessary to attend an event at a downtown hospital facility.
Knowledge of whether or not HCM exists in a student athlete can be a life-saving event.
The "mobile model" of Championship Hearts Foundation's Young Athlete Heart Screening will take these potentially life-saving screening evaluations to the neighborhoods and communities of Texas where an underserved population of student athletes exists.
Collaborations with established community health clinics to host these events will build upon the trust already held with citizens in those neighborhoods, and also provide a medical resource should further cardiac evaluation be suggested.
More than 10,000 student athletes screened
Championship Hearts Foundation's strength to accomplish its mission of reducing cardiovascular disease is based on the successful screening of over 10,000 students over the past 10 years through collaborations with area hospital facilities, area cardiologists, and a strong volunteer base. Such collaborators are:
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Heart Hospital of Austin
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Lone Star Circle of Care
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Seton Medical Center, Williamson County
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TexSan Heart Hospital
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Dell Children's Hospital
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St. David's
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Heart Clinic of Austin
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Huston -Tillotson University
"Thank you so much for what you offer. I could really enjoy my son's athletic activities last year, knowing your screening ruled out HCM" - B. Causey, Austin, Texas (parent).
Championship Hearts Foundation • 9442 Capital of Texas Highway N, Arboretum Plaza One, Ste 500 • Austin, TX 78759 • (512) 340 7313
© 2010 Championship Hearts Foundation
