AUSTIN, Texas — Championship Hearts Foundation will offer free heart screenings for students ages 14-18, on Saturday, Sept.22, 8 a.m.-12 p.m. at Dell Children’s Medical Center.

  • Free heart screening will be available for students
  • Online pre-registering is required
  • to pre-register, click here

Athletes, cheerleaders, marching band students, drill team members and those who participate in vigorous exercise are encouraged to get their hearts screened for possible deadly genetic heart conditions such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.  

“HCM and other underlying heart conditions often do not impair physical activity,”  Dr. Arnold Fenrich, president of the nonprofit Championship Hearts Foundation said. “However, these conditions may allow for heart beat problems and result in Sudden Cardiac Death. Warning signs to be aware of include palpitations (feeling a fast/fluttering heartbeat), dizziness or syncope (fainting/passing out), chest pain/chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Any of these signs/symptoms occurring during exercise warrant further evaluation.”

Parents are welcome and encouraged to accompany their students during the tests. Online pre-registration is required and is now open at www.champhearts.org. Students must have a signed parental waiver in order to receive the heart screening. That waiver will be available at the event and is also available to print from the pre-registration website. Check-in will take place in the specialty care center lobby and free parking is available in the outpatient parking lot accessible via Philomena Street.

While there is no charge for the screening, a tax-deductible contribution of $25 is suggested and supports the foundation’s life-saving mission. For more information or to volunteer, visit the Foundation’s website or call 512-900-3243 or 888-884-6945.