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District Screenings
The Campbell Union High School District (CUHSD) has recently sanctioned the mandatory inclusion of heart screenings for 9th and 11th-grade district athletes as part of their pre-participation sports physicals. Each of the district's five high schools will host screening events for athletes during the Fall, Winter, and Spring sports seasons, with Fall screenings scheduled for August, Winter in October, and Spring in January.
Similarly, The Los Gatos Saratoga High School District has recently mandated heart screenings for student athletes in all grades as part of their pre-participation physical exams. This policy, applicable to all Los Gatos and Saratoga High School student athletes, will begin in the fall semester of 2024, ensuring athletes are screened across the academic year.
For the 2024/25 sports screening dates, please refer to the information below. Sign-up details will become available soon. If your school's screening schedule has not been confirmed yet, we encourage you to check back regularly as updates will be posted.
If you have any inquiries, please visit our heart screening FAQ section at the bottom of the page. For additional questions, kindly reach out to Jennifer Sarmento at jennifer@kylejtaylor.org.
Campbell Union High School District
Sports Screenings
2024/2025
Los Gatos Saratoga Union High School District
Sports Screenings
2024/2025
What is a heart screening?
Today, heart screenings are not included in routine well-child checkups or pre-participation sports physicals, even though research reveals that the conventional, non-cardio focused approach to youth checkups overlooks 90% of young individuals susceptible to sudden cardiac arrest. Studies demonstrate that Electrocardiograms (EKGs) represent the most effective screening tool in this context. Remarkably, the stethoscope, invented two centuries ago, underscores the reality that heart conditions capable of precipitating sudden cardiac arrest are observable rather than audible. Consequently, international guidelines advocate for biennial screenings of youth up to the age of 25 to address this critical health concern.
What to expect at a heart screening:
KJTF heart screenings are open to all youth ages 12-25 years old and typically take about an hour to complete. Here's the step-by-step process:
1. Record Vital Stats: We'll begin by recording your child's weight, height, and blood pressure.
2. Family History Review: A health care professional will go over your family history form with both you and your child. This form needs to be completed prior to attending and will be provided to you upon registration.
3. EKG Procedure: A healthcare professional will perform an Electrocardiogram (EKG). Separate areas are designated for girls and boys.
4. Doctor's Review: The EKG results will be carefully reviewed by a doctor who will discuss the findings with both the child and parent(s) or guardian(s) .
5. Follow-Up Echocardiogram (if necessary): If the doctor deems it necessary, a follow-up echocardiogram will be scheduled.
6. CPR and AED Training (optional): You and your child may choose to receive brief training on how to perform hands-only CPR and effectively use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).
7. Results Notification: You, as a parent or guardian, will be promptly notified of the screening results.
Heart Screenings FAQs
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Why does my student athlete need to get a heart screening?Heart screenings are not currently a part of the pre-participation sports physicals, even though studies show the standard non-cardio focused approach to youth checkups misses 90% of youth at risk for sudden cardiac arrest. Electrocardiograms (ECG or EKG) have been shown to be the most effective screening tool. The stethoscope has a blind spot: the fact is that heart conditions that may trigger Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) can only be seen, not heard.
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What is a heart screening?Screening includes cardiac risk assessment, and electrocardiogram (EKG), which all should take about 40 minutes to complete. Screening is noninvasive & painless. Physicians will read the EKG remotely and results will be emailed to you about 1-2 weeks after screening.
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What is an EKG or ECG?An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) records the electrical signal from the heart to check for different heart conditions. Electrodes are placed on the chest to record the heart's electrical signals. These screening is noninvasive and painless.
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Why is the requirement only for 9th and 11th grade student athletes?International guidelines recommend youth should be screened every two years.
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What if my student athlete is in 10th or 12th grade can they get screened?While the requirement to be screened in CUHSD is for 9th and 11th grade student athletes, any student athlete can sign up to be screened.
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My student athlete plays multiple sports throughout the school year, do they need a screening for each season?No, once they are screened that will cover that school year. We will be offering heart screenings for each of the three seasons (Fall, Winter & Spring) for example, if you student does not play a sport until the winter you can schedule them for a screening in October for winter sports.
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Do we have to get the heart screening with the Kyle J. Taylor Foundation?No, you can check with your doctor to see if they can provide this service for your student athlete. If they provide the service to you please have them mark on your physical form they performed the electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG).
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My student athlete cannot make the screening scheduled at their school, can they go to another school’s screening?Yes, they can attend any of the scheduled CUHSD screenings at any of the school locations.
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Does this screening fulfill the physical requirement for sports?No, the heart screening is separate from the physical requirement, so you will still need to get a physical for your student.
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How will our school be notified that my student fulfilled the heart screening requirement?Once your student has been screened, we will provide you with a letter stating they have fulfilled the requirement for the heart screening which you will need to upload into athleticclearance.com for the school to be notified they fulfilled the requirement.
If you have additional questions, please reach out to Info@kylejtaylor.org