Heart screenings for young athletes
Why sudden cardiac arrest screening matters.
For parents, coaches and league staff
Why heart screenings matter for young athletes
- Sudden cardiac arrest is the number one medical cause of death in young athletes.
- 1 in 300 youth have a detectable, potentially life-threatening heart condition.
- In 80% of sudden cardiac arrest cases in athletes, death is the first symptom.
- Only 1 in 10 survives an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
What your team can do
- Ask about heart screening when you schedule sports physicals for your team or family.
- Keep an emergency action plan and an AED plan for every field or venue.
- Make sure coaches hold current CPR and AED certification.
To ask about athlete heart screenings and sports physicals, call SLMA Sports Medicine at 985-262-1639.
Primary guidance: SLMA Sports Medicine, Heart Screenings flyer
Seeing SLMA Sports Medicine
Joseph Michael Garcia, MD
Primary Care Sports Medicine & Family Medicine
Joseph Michael Garcia, MD is a physician specializing in family medicine and sports medicine. Fellowship trained in sports medicine at the University of Alabama – Tuscaloosa, residency at LSU – Alexandria, and board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. He cares for athletes of every age — injury evaluation, non-surgical treatment, concussion care, sports physicals, and return-to-play planning.
Call to be seen985-262-1639
SLMA Comprehensive Health Clinic, Houma605 Enterprise Drive, Suite B, Houma, LA 70360
Monday – Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Friday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
SLMA Sports Medicine | 985-262-1639 — General education only. Follow stricter league rules and your clinician's instructions. Coaches do not diagnose or treat injuries.
