Youth Heart Screening

Lee Health: Your Trusted Heart Specialists For Youth Heart Screenings

Lee Health pediatric cardiologists understand that identifying potential cardiac challenges early is essential for preventing and treating cardiac conditions.  Our specialists offer the most advanced and effective cardiac treatment options to support your child's heart health.

What is a youth heart screening or electrocardiogram (EKG)?

While heart screenings are not a part of regular well-child checkups or pre-participation sports physicals, Lee Health pediatric cardiologists, highly recommend getting a youth heart screening for your child. EKGs are the most effective way to screen for potential heart risks such as arrhythmia, that can prove fatal with intense physical activity. A comprehensive heart screening including an EKC/ECG can detect the majority of heart conditions that otherwise may go undiagnosed.  It is a painless, noninvasive test that measures your heartbeat using electrodes attached to the body to identify abnormal heart rhythms or heart structure.  

Free EKG screenings for young athletes

Sudden cardiac death is the leading cause of death among young athletes and often provides no advance signs or symptoms. Electrocardiogram (EKG) is a tool that detects a child’s risk for sudden cardiac death.

To provide peace of mind to young athletes and their families, Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida offers free EKG testing to middle and high school-aged athletes.

Golisano Children’s Hospital pediatric cardiologists review all EKGs and, if necessary, provide recommendations for further evaluation.

The free EKGs are available without an appointment during these times and at these locations:

When to get an EKG (ECG)

Your child's cardiologist will recommend an EKG (ECG) if they are concerned about potential a cardiac condition.  Additionally, if your your child's medical history or current symptoms indicate a higher risk for a heart condition your provider will want to get a clear assessment of your child's heart health using an EKG (ECG) If your child is presenting any of the below symptoms of a heart problem consult your child's primary care physician or pediatric cardiologist:

• Rapid Heartbeat
• Chest Pain
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Arrhythmia

What to Expect from a EKG (ECG)

During a resting EKG (ECG), a technician attaches electrodes with adhesive pads to the skin of your child's chest, arms and legs.  They will lie flat while the computer creates a picture on graph paper of the electrical impulses traveling through your child's heart.

The recording takes only a few seconds, but it can take around 10 minutes to attach the various electrodes needed to complete the test. Golisano Children’s Hospital pediatric cardiologists review all EKGs. When necessary, the will recommend further evaluations for your child.