We are pleased to share that Allie Solow, along with her friend Guy Golan, have teamed up with In a Heartbeat Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). They will be here at the synagogue on Mitzvah Day on December 7th. Screenings will be open to children ages 10 and older as well as adults in our community.

 

Why this matters:

Sudden Cardiac Arrest is not a heart attack. It is caused by an underlying electrical or structural issue within the heart that can trigger a fatal arrhythmia. Many of these conditions are congenital or develop as children grow especially throughout puberty and into early adulthood.

 

Tragically, the first symptom of SCA is often death and it remains:

·     The leading cause of death on school campuses

·     The #1 killer of student athletes

·     A major cause of death in the U.S., affecting more than 350,000 people annually

·     Not rare: 1 in 300 youth have an undetected heart condition that could lead to SCA

 

Why screening works:

A simple EKG test can identify most heart conditions associated with SCA.

An EKG is non-invasive, painless, and takes under five minutes.

It is NOT included in the standard pediatric annual physical.

Most life threatening heart abnormalities can be detected through an EKG.

Every test is reviewed by a cardiologist trained to identify pediatric and adult cardiac risks.

 

Blind Brook High School in Rye Brook has been providing these screenings for the last five years. We have successfully flagged numerous students with hidden cardiac conditions. We are proud to extend this life saving opportunity to our synagogue community as well.

 

Cost:

Screenings are free, with a suggested $25 donation to the In a Heartbeat Foundation to help cover equipment and supply costs.

 

Registration:

Register using this link. Advance registration is requested but we will accept walk-ins. 

 

Families often ask whether children should be screened annually. The recommendation from the American Heart association is every 2 years but because heart structure and hormone levels change significantly throughout adolescence and young adulthood (up to ages 24–25), an annual EKG at a nominal cost is a gift that you can give your children to track any new or developing abnormalities. Having this access is a potentially life saving gift.