BayCare, Florida nonprofit offers heart screenings ahead of new ECG law for first-time high school athletes

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…

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

Flagler County Schools updated its ECG screening policy to align with Florida’s Second Chance Act, requiring middle and high school students in athletics, marching band, color guard, and JROTC to complete an ECG before participation. Through partnerships with AdventHealth and Who We Play For, the district offers free screening clinics to help detect hidden heart conditions early and protect student-athletes. Read more…

Florida will require ECG screenings for high school athletes starting in the 2026–27 school year under the Second Chance Act, making it the first state to mandate the test. The screening aims to detect hidden heart conditions that can lead to sudden cardiac arrest—the leading non-traumatic cause of death in young athletes. Read more…

After losing her son Antonio Hicks to sudden cardiac arrest during football practice, Citrus County mother Lakesha Harrison now works to raise awareness about ECG heart screenings and early detection. Through Who We Play For, she encourages parents to screen their children for hidden heart conditions before tragedy strikes. 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…