Screenings For Sudden Cardiac Death Proven Invaluable

June 6, 2011 - PRLog -- Out of 94 Students screened at Waldwick High School, two students and their families were spared a possible tragedy thanks to cardiac screenings conducted on March 21st sponsored by the Gregory M. Hirsch Foundation, The Sean Fischer Foundation, Gift of Life America and CardiacScan Imaging Services.  Because of the early detection screening program, these students are now under the care of their physicians and have the opportunity to lead strong, productive lives.  These screenings, now in their second year, have proven to be invaluable.  Last year, out of 64 students screened at Waldwick High School, one required major follow-up.  Because of the success of these screening programs, six other high schools in Bergen County including have given their approval for GMHMF to conduct screenings for their freshman classes next Fall.

One of the most common causes of sudden cardiac death is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).  HCM is a genetic disease in which the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick, making it harder to pump blood throughout the body.  Most people have few, if any, symptoms of this disease.  Some people experience shortness of breath when exercising, chest pain, fainting, dizziness, fatigue, or abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias).

This innovative screening program was developed by Robert J. Tozzi, M.D., FACC, of Ridgewood, section chief, Pediatric Cardiology, and director of the Gregory M. Hirsch Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center, a division of the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC) along with Kerri Winans Kaley of Huntington, NY, founder of CardiacScan Imaging Services and GMHMF trustee.

Freshman students at Waldwick High School were able to take advantage of this screening sponsored by GMHMF, the Fischer Foundation, Gift of Life America and CardiacScan Imaging Services.  Parents of other area students may contact the Gregory M. Hirsch Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center at (201) 487-7617 to arrange for a private screening session.

A particular victory in making the public aware of HCM was the designation of the last week in May of each year as "Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Awareness Week" by a joint resolution of both houses of the New Jersey legislature.  This resolution was initiated by State Senator Paul A. Sarlo to promote statewide awareness of HCM as a result of the awareness campaign started in Bergen County at the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at HUMC by the GMHF. The resolution was recently signed by the Governor and issues an annual proclamation calling upon public officials and citizens of this State to observe the week with appropriate activities and programs.

            GMHMF is dedicated to preventing sudden cardiac death in children and young adults by better understanding its causes, identifying at-risk individuals and families, and offering those families state-of-the-art treatment and support. All etiologies of sudden cardiac death will be investigated including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), which is responsible for the vast majority of these devastating losses. For more information, please visit www.gmhmfoundation.org.

The Gregory M. Hirsch Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center, a division of the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at HUMC is committed to providing individualized care, treatment, and support to patients and families with HCM.  It is the first facility established in the area to screen families for HCM. For more information, please visit www.humc.com/hirsch.

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GMHMF is dedicated to preventing sudden cardiac death in children and young adults by better understanding its causes, identifying at-risk individuals and families, and offering those families state-of-the-art treatment and support. All etiologies of sudden cardiac death will be investigated including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), which is responsible for the vast majority of these devastating losses. For more information, please visit www.gmhmfoundation.org.