An EKG screening identified a serious heart condition in a Florida student-athlete ahead of the statewide mandate, allowing for early treatment and a safe return to sports. The case highlights how ECG testing can detect hidden conditions that routine physicals may miss and prevent potentially life-threatening events. Read more…
Who We Play For is partnering with Orlando Health to provide community heart screening events for student-athletes as families prepare for Florida’s new Second Chance Act requirement, which takes effect July 1. The quick, noninvasive ECG screenings are designed to help identify hidden heart conditions linked to sudden cardiac arrest before an emergency occurs. Read more…
Beginning in the 2026–27 school year, Florida will require EKG screenings for incoming and first-time high school athletes to help detect hidden heart conditions before participation. The mandate, part of the Second Chance Act, aims to reduce the risk of sudden cardiac arrest—the leading cause of death among student-athletes—by identifying issues early. Read more…
A Tampa Bay family is urging parents to have their children screened for heart conditions after their 13-year-old survived sudden cardiac arrest at school. Their experience highlights how early detection and awareness can help prevent life-threatening cardiac events in young people. Read more…
Expanded access to AEDs and strong implementation of Florida’s Second Chance Act can significantly improve survival outcomes for students experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. The opinion piece emphasizes that early detection, emergency preparedness, and rapid response—including access to AEDs—are critical to saving lives in school settings. Read more…
A free heart screening event at Nemours Children’s Health in Jacksonville offered electrocardiogram (EKG) screenings for children and young adults ages 10–22, helping identify underlying heart conditions early. The initiative highlights growing awareness among families about the importance of early detection to prevent sudden cardiac arrest. Read more…
Florida’s Second Chance Act requires student-athletes to receive ECG screenings, with schools and partners offering free or low-cost options to improve access. Experts say these screenings can identify hidden heart conditions early—often the only way to detect certain abnormalities—and help prevent sudden cardiac death. Read more…
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