Who We Play For, Parent Heart Watch Preventing Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Youth, Free Virtual Training Set Feb. 26

train thousands of clinicians nationwide in early detection methods for heart conditions

BREVARD COUNTY • FLORIDA — Two dedicated local non-profits, Who We Play For and Parent Heart Watch, are taking a crucial step in the fight against Sudden Cardiac Arrest in young athletes.

They have organized a FREE Virtual Training Workshop on ECG Interpretation in Athletes, which will take place on February 26 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

This landmark event aims to train thousands of clinicians nationwide in early detection methods for heart conditions that could lead to SCA. The workshop will be led by Dr. Jonathan Drezner, a world-renowned expert in sports cardiology, alongside a panel of distinguished medical professionals. Their goal is to provide essential ECG interpretation skills to an additional 1,006 clinicians, furthering the fight to prevent SCA and save young lives.

The Urgency of Early Detection

Sudden Cardiac Arrest is the leading medical cause of death in young athletes and on school campuses. Yet, ECG screenings—one of the most effective tools for identifying at-risk individuals—are often absent from routine well-checkups and pre-participation physicals. This workshop represents a massive push to address this gap in medical training and standard procedures.

Several Florida school districts, including Brevard, Highlands, Leon, Osceola, Orange, Seminole, and Suwannee, have already adopted policies requiring student-athletes to undergo ECG screenings before participating in sports. Other districts are encouraging similar measures, reflecting a growing awareness of the need for preventative heart health measures.

The Influence of High-Profile Cardiac Events

The recent cardiac incident involving Damar Hamlin has amplified discussions about the importance of heart screenings, particularly in athletics. While heart screenings might not have directly prevented his collapse, they are critical in detecting pre-existing heart conditions that could lead to SCA.

Hamlin himself has advocated for the HEARTS Act of 2024, a landmark bipartisan legislation passed last December. The Act marks the largest investment in U.S. history in preventing sudden cardiac death in schools. It supports AED accessibility, CPR training, Cardiac Emergency Action Plans, and enhanced heart screenings.

Workshop Details:

● What: FREE Virtual Training Workshop: ECG Interpretation in Athletes
● When: Wednesday, February 26, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
● Who Should Attend: Sports medicine physicians, cardiologists, pediatricians, family physicians, and other clinicians
● Register: No fee, but registration is required. Register here.

This workshop represents a pivotal opportunity to advance heart safety for young athletes and ensure more clinicians are equipped with lifesaving ECG interpretation skills. Don’t miss this chance to be part of a movement changing the future of youth heart health.

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