Students get check up at 7 Health Edge Heart Check

(WXYZ) - It’s Saturday morning at Clarkston High School.  It’s the weekend, but still the place is packed with students- student athletes who are here for the 7 Health Edge Heart Check.

It’s an in-depth, series of heart tests designed to find hidden heart problems that can kill young athletes - students like Clarkston Varsity Football player Brad Barker.

“I am happy to be here and thankful that you guys are doing this.  Helping uncover hidden heart problems, so you can save the lives of young athletes,” Brad says.

The day begins with Brad and his mother Marnie filling out a detailed questionnaire about his family history. 

There is no history of heart problems in Brad’s family, but his mom knows that means nothing.  Heart abnormalities can pop-up in any family, regardless of history.

Brads next stop is the blood pressure station. It’s a simple test, but it reveals a lot about overall heart health.

In fact, high blood pressure is a growing problem in high school athletes because of the fast food craze in this country, doctors say.

Brads blood pressure is great. So now, it’s off to look at the electrical side of his heart. Electrical leads are placed all over his body.  The electrical activity of the heart is displayed on the screen.

The electrocardiogram is critical because it helps uncover hidden heart problems.

And finally it’s time for the most telling test of all The echocardiogram test. This machine literally takes a live picture of a student’s beating heart. 

As for Brad, he’s almost finished, he’s about to hear the results of all this testing.

It will be discussed with him, one-on-one, with heart specialist, Dr. Steven Almany.

“Brad, we find nothing wrong with your EKG, your blood pressure is great, you don’t smoke and your echocardiogram was clean. So we see no problem with you doing whatever you want to do with your body and your sports programs young man,” Dr. Almany says with a beaming smile.

Our next 7 Health Edge Heart Check will be held this coming spring.  Please keep watching 7 Action News for updates on our next free, heart screen.