Who We Are

It happens all too often; every three days to be exact. In the middle of throwing a curveball or catching a pass, a young athlete dies of sudden cardiac death -- an abrupt loss of heart function that affects more than 600,000 people in the U.S. and is the leading cause of death in competitive athletes.

We hear about it on the news, a young man or woman who appears to be the picture of health and vigor has their life tragically cut short. But in reality, these incidents happen more than we realize and are possibly preventable.

CHAMPS For Life programs include a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) and a limited two-dimensional echocardiogram (ultrasound picture of the heart). Using a "2-minute" ECHO technique, the screening can be done for a fraction of the cost of what you would pay if you were to have this done at a hospital or clinic.^* Adding an ECG, CHAMPS may also detect other well-known causes of sudden cardiac arrest. Arrhythmias we are particularly concerned with is Long Q-T Syndrome and Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome. CHAMPS For Life partners with local board certified cardiologists to interpret all tests.

 

Why Are We Doing This

• Approximately 1 out of every 100 children have an undiagnosed heart condition

• Physician histories and physicals are not sufficient to detect these conditions

• Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) occurs in approximately 1 out of 100,000 students each year

• Following SCA, less than 10% survive

• No standard screening of school or college athletes exists

• In Italy, a national heart screening program has reduced SCA in young athletes

• By identifying students with underlying cardiac conditions, we seek to prevent SCA

Where Will CHAMPS Screenings Take Place

CHAMPS For Life partners with schools, camps, sports complexes and professional sports teams. We bring all necessary equipment, personnel and supplies. Once a facility chooses to host a CHAMPS screening, we take care of the rest. CHAMPS utilizes our own in-house marketing group to develop marketing material tailored to your organization.

Plan an Event

CHAMPS For Life provides various ways to plan an event, including a NO COST to the school Heart Smart Screening Program. We team up with school officials, physical education teachers, coaches and parents to present a cardiac screening event in your school. For professional athletes we provide a program with complete echocardiograms and other cardiovascular testing. For more information please contact us directly at 877-806-9111 and one of our specialists will assist you.

Details of a Screening Event

• Life saving screening tests are only a fraction of the cost (normally charged at a hospital or other imaging centers is approximately $500 to $2,500).

• We can test up to 200 students per day.

• We also screen family members and school faculty.

• On-line registration available.

• Letters are mailed home to parents with their child's results.

• Other options are available such as a sponsored event. Call us for details.

• All tests are viewed by our local board certified cardiologists.

* Your doctor normally would not order these tests unless you are exhibiting some sort of symptom. Insurance companies will not reimburse for these tests if they are used as a screening exam. An echocardiogram or ECG is not considered part of a routine physical.