Importance of Heart Screenings for Florida Student-Athletes

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) ranks as the leading cause of death among student-athletes, often occurring without prior warning. This is the rationale behind the Miami-Dade School Board and the State of Florida mandating electrocardiograms (ECGs) for all Florida student-athletes before participating in sports.

Why Heart Screenings Are Required

High school sports play a significant role in shaping children’s lives. They learn critical skills such as teamwork, discipline, and handling both victories and defeats. However, ensuring their safety is of paramount importance. Heart screenings aim to prevent tragic occurrences on campus or during games. Approximately 90% of SCA victims do not survive, and many are unaware of their risk. To address this serious issue, the “Second Chance Act” requires all student-athletes in Florida to undergo an ECG before engaging in sports activities.

How to Obtain a Heart Screening

Florida’s sports medicine community is committed to maintaining athletes’ health and safety. Coaches are encouraged to learn CPR, and having an automated external defibrillator (AED) at every school is essential. Education on preventing heat illness is also emphasized. An ECG is a straightforward, painless test that examines the heart’s electrical activity, offering another level of protection alongside the health questionnaire and physical exam.

Local healthcare organizations, such as Baptist Health and Nicklaus Children’s, provide these screenings either free or at an affordable cost. State law ensures the test costs no more than $50. The ultimate goal is to keep children safe while enjoying sports. Although ECGs are not flawless, and some anomalies may require specialist consultations, most outcomes are harmless, clearing students for athletic participation. Early screening is advised to allow time for any additional necessary testing.

These tests, while they might seem rare or unnecessary, offer students the chance they deserve to enjoy sports safely. Dr. Michael Swartzon, a sports medicine physician with Baptist Health South Florida, collaborates with teams like the Miami Dolphins, Florida Panthers, and InterMiami CF. For more information, you can contact him at [email protected].

Originally published on July 24, 2026, at 1:33 PM.