Beaumont offering free student heart checks in Detroit

Beaumont is offering free heart screenings to high school students.

The typical school sports physical may fall short in assessing heart health, because sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death in young athletes, according to a release.

Because sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death in young athletes, Beaumont Health cardiologists are offering free Student Heart Check screenings to area high school students, according to a release.

This will take place at the Heilmann Recreation Center on Saturday, June 1 at 9 a.m.

Although there is no charge to participate, registration is required.

Beaumont Children’s pediatric cardiologist, Ismael Gonzalez Rangel, M.D., said, “One of the most serious conditions we’re looking for through the Student Heart Check screening is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - a common cause of death in young athletes. This is a condition where the walls of the heart are abnormally thick. Not only can this thickness cause blockage of the blood flow of the heart, but it can also put them at risk for life-threatening heart rhythm problems, including sudden cardiac death.”

Beaumont also offers resources for adults interested in assessing their risk of heart disease. This includes a free online heart risk assessmentthat can be completed in just minutes. The assessment is available at beaumont.org/heartrisk.