Should kids get an EKG?

We hear the tragic stories every year, but each one still seems shocking: a child collapses on the sports field, seemingly out of nowhere. Though rare, around 2,000 people under the age of 25 die from sudden cardiac arrest each year, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The majority of these deaths occur in kids and teens without any prior indication of heart disease.

However, a simple heart screening can usually pick up the subtle signs of a heart rhythm disorder in kids.

How pediatric EKGs reveal abnormal heart rhythms

Cardiologists with Wolfson Children's C. Herman and Mary Virginia Terry Heart Institute recommend electrocardiograms (EKGs) as they can detect potentially life-threatening conditions. An EKG is a test that uses small electrode patches on the chest, arms and legs to record the heart's electrical activity and check the heartbeat's pattern.

“An EKG is a quick, easy and painless test that can make a huge difference in a child’s life,” said Rajesh Shenoy, MD, medical director of Pediatric Cardiology for Wolfson Children’s Terry Heart Institute. “The results of these tests allow us to diagnose many heart rhythm disorders and start treatment, reducing the risk of a child experiencing a cardiac episode.”

In many other parts of the world, pediatric EKGs are mandatory for middle or high school students. While student-athletes in the United States are required to get sports physicals, most states don't require EKGs.

Why EKGs aren't just for student-athletes

Doctors recommend parents talk to their child's pediatrician about EKG options near them, even if the child doesn't play sports.

Sheldon Hill, executive director of SafeBeat, a national initiative that establishes local and regional preventive heart screenings, said most heart defects aren't typically detected by the traditional yearly exam or sports physical, but a noninvasive heart screening that includes an EKG can help identify those most at risk.

A study published in Heart Rhythm found adding an EKG to a child's standard physical is six times more likely to detect a cardiovascular condition associated with sudden cardiac arrest or death.

"With sudden cardiac arrest being the No. 1 cause of death in student-athletes and students on school campuses, it is imperative that preventive heart screenings are made available," Hill said. "We must be proactive in protecting our youth from this silent killer and not wait until they have symptoms because in many cases, the first symptom is the fatal collapse."

Looking for a pediatric cardiologist?

The pediatric cardiology, cardiac intensive care and heart surgery teams with Wolfson Children's C. Herman and Mary Virginia Terry Heart Institute treat a full range of pediatric cardiac conditions, from heart rhythm disorders to defects present at birth. To learn more, call 904.202.8550.

Visit wolfsonchildrens.com/heart

Reference: American Academy of Pediatrics