Seattle Public Schools is partnering with the Nick of Time Foundation to offer free youth heart screenings on Wednesday at Garfield High School. All students between the ages of 14-24 years are eligible for a screening, regardless of their enrollment status.
According to the American Heart Association, one in every 350 young people has an undetected heart condition. The best way to detect these conditions is through a heart screening using an ECG (electrical test) and Echocardiograms (ultrasound) of the heart. The test is painless and takes about 25 minutes. Athletes especially are encouraged to sign up for a cardiac screening.
Screening packets are available at the Garfield High School office or the Garfield Teen Health Clinic. Those interested can also download the forms at www.nickoftimefoundation.org.
To pre-register your child for a screening, email [email protected] or call the Garfield Teen Health Clinic (open Monday-Friday) at (206) 860-0480. Please include the following information:
- Child’s full name (first, last)
- Age/Date of Birth
- Parent’s name, email address and contact phone number
- Where the child attends school
- Preferred (first and second choice) appointment time
Last year, the Seattle School Board voted unanimously to update the District emergency management plan to include a public access automated external defibrillator (AED) program. Seattle Public Schools collaborated with the Heart of Seattle Schools, a non-profit organization that includes the Seattle Seahawks and Sounders, local hospitals, the American Heart Association, Nick of Time Foundation and other school community partners, to develop a plan for implementing this program. Starting in the fall, SPS will begin placing AEDs in schools with the ultimate goal of having an AED in every school and ensuring that staff are trained to use them if necessary.