New Florida law requires heart screening for student-athletes

BayCare Medical Group and the nonprofit Who We Play For are offering community ECG heart screening events as Florida prepares to implement its new law requiring first-time high school student-athletes to receive an ECG before sports participation.. 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…

An ECG screening conducted under Florida’s Second Chance Act identified a cardiac abnormality in a student’s cousin, allowing for early intervention before a potential life-threatening event. The case underscores how required screenings can detect hidden conditions and prevent sudden cardiac arrest in young people. 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…

Sarasota County Schools partnered with Who We Play For to offer $20 ECG heart screenings for student-athletes ahead of Florida’s Second Chance Act. The screenings help detect hidden heart conditions early and prevent sudden cardiac arrest. Read more…

Starting July 1, incoming 9th-grade athletes and students who have never played high school sports before must get heart screenings prior to participation.