Sudden cardiac death (SCD) can occur in association with a variety of diseases including structural heart disease, inherited cardiac muscle diseases (cardiomyopathies), congenital or acquired coronary artery abnormalities, and various cardiac rhythm disturbances.  The causes of SCD associated with exercise appear age-related.  Acquired coronary artery disease is the leading cause of SCD in athletes over 30 years of age, while congenital cardiac abnormalities account for the majority of deaths in athletes less than 30 years of age, with cardiomyopathies and structural coronary anomalies accounting for the vast majority of those deaths.  The true incidence of SCD among children and adolescents is unknown, but a reasonable estimate may be in the range of 1.3/100,000 patient-years.

At Children’s Cardiology Group we understand the importance placed upon participating and excelling in sports.  With the recent reports of tragic events during participation in sports in Southern California, we feel an obligation to serve as advocates for the health and safety of our children.  Even though cardiac screening can not detect all cardiac disorders, we can potentially identify many of these at-risk athletes by performing screening tests.  While other diseases may be more prevalent than SCD, few of them can present with loss of consciousness or sudden death on the playing field. 

Children’s Cardiology Group offers a cardiac screening program geared towards student athletes.  Our Sports Screening Program includes performing a 12-Lead Electrocardiogram and an Echocardiogram with 2D, Pulsed Doppler, and Color Flow Mapping.  A board-certified pediatric cardiologist then reviews the test results and provides a report to your primary care physician.  If abnormalities are diagnosed or suspected, an office visit will be arranged with one of our pediatric cardiologists.  At that time, additional testing may be recommended or performed, which should be covered by insurance.  Treadmill stress testing, spirometry with and without bronchodilation, and extended rhythm monitoring are available in-office if needed.

Families interested in our program should feel free to contact us for more information.  Testing can be performed at either our Orange or Mission location.  A referral from a physician is not required to participate in this program.