Sudden cardiac death among high school or college athletes is rare but tragic, and is jarring to families, friends and communities. What additional measures can physicians take to prevent sudden cardiac death among these students? Current guidelines for screening of young athletes in the U.S. do not include electrocardiography but should they, especially in light of recent Italian research about the efficacy of EKG screenings in preventing sudden cardiac death in this population? Dr. Paul Heidenreich, associate professor of medicine (cardiovascular) and associate professor by courtesy of health research and policy, at the Veterens Affairs (VA) Palo Alto Health Care System, and fellow of the Center for Health Policy and the Center for Primary Care and Outcomes Research at Stanford University, weighs the benefits and risks of widespread use of ECG's in the screening of young athletes. Is there a reasonable cost effectiveness value to adding ECG to routine screening for these patients, compared to a routine medical history and physical exam? How should physicians discuss the value of ECG screening with young adult athletes and their parents? Hosted by Dr. Janet Wright.
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