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Student-athletes across Duval County Public Schools in Florida can now participate in life-saving cardiac screenings, thanks to new ECG technology implemented in all 17 district high schools offering sports programs.
This cutting-edge equipment was provided through a state grant to raise awareness of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) and promote early detection of potential heart conditions.
Blake Mace, an Athletic Trainer at Englewood High School, expressed relief knowing her athletes will be screened for heart issues.
“Just the calmness in my mind of knowing that they’ve already been checked. Either we’ve caught something and we can fix it, or we’ve prevented something from happening.”
The district’s 17 Athletic Trainers received specialized training through a partnership with Who We Play For, the Jacksonville Sports Medicine Program, and other community groups.
Jerry Stevens, Supervisor of District Sports Medicine, emphasized the importance of the screenings:
“Sudden cardiac arrest is the number one cause of death in student-athletes. This technology allows us to be proactive.”
Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier highlighted this as an often-overlooked safety measure.
“When we think about safety, we often focus on fences and security. But ensuring our students are healthy to participate in sports is equally important.”
The screenings are optional, with parental consent required. Students who opt-in will be screened every two years. Athletic Trainer Mace praised the district’s leadership in heart health safety:
“This is just an extra step of preventative measures."
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