North Shore company screens student athletes, others for heart arrhythmia

ANDOVER – A simple test can reveal hidden trouble that, undetected, could cause cardiac arrest in young athletes.HeartScreen America, based in Andover, was launched in 2005 by Dr. Holly G. Atkinson and David T. Vining, with the mission to prevent needless deaths from cardiac arrest.The program utilizes an Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) and targets people ages 6-25 in school districts, higher ed institutions, sports teams and corporations.Also targeted by the company are those under 35 who desire a heart screen but are not eligible for insurance coverage because of a lack of symptoms.According to HeartScreen America president Bert Vining, one in every 350 people screened have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), or another leading cause of cardiac arrhythmia syndromes.?The EKG has been identified as the best initial marker of many causes of sudden cardiac arrest and we are proud to make it available at a fraction of the cost in a traditional outpatient setting,” he said. “It really only takes about 10 minutes to do the test and results are sent to the patient within 10 days.”HeartScreen American offers the test to youths for $49 and to adults for $69. Vining said the adult test also includes cholesterol screenings.The company markets the service to school districts and colleges, and at no cost to the institutions, conducts the tests onsite.?Insurance companies won?t pay for screenings unless there are symptoms, so the test would most likely cost $800 out of pocket for an individual,” he said. “With our screenings, however, we can quickly and easily provide results.”HeartScreen America specializes in large population and direct to consumer heart screening specifically designed to minimize the occurrence of sudden, unexpected death by identifying its leading cause, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and other causes.A team of top trained technicians perform the screenings by using the most advanced technology available, with the support of a national network of board certified cardiologists.Vining said while the screening can detect underlying heart conditions, it is best complemented with care provided by a primary care physician. In addition, each test is customized to meet the needs of the individual, community or organization being screened.?It?s such an important step in getting you and your family on the path to better cardiac health,” he said.The next scheduled screening will take place in Middleton on Jan. 25 and 26 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pre-registration is required to attend.For more information or to schedule a screening, call 866-722-8008.HeartScreen America is endorsed and designated as Wellness Partner by the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA), a private, non-profit association to regulate, coordinate and promote athletic programs for high school students.