Free Cardiac Screenings Through YH4L Partnership

Jamie Lavigueur
On December 6, SFHS will host free cardiac screenings for all students in partnership with the organization Young Hearts for Life (YH4L). The screening, known as an electrocardiogram (ECG), helps detect heart conditions early and can help prevent cardiac emergencies.

Students are encouraged to take advantage of the screening, which is quick, painless, and free, thanks to Edward-Elmhurst Health, Just 1 Mike, and YH4L donors.

SFHS sophomore Lily T., who was diagnosed with the heart condition Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) four years ago, personally encourages her fellow students to participate in the screening.

POTS is a condition that causes fast heart rate, dizziness, and fatigue when you transition from lying down to standing up. Getting an ECG was one of the critical factors that led to Lily’s diagnosis. Lily didn’t realize her heart rate was abnormal nor did she realize her headaches were caused by tachycardia.  Early detection was important to her diagnosis and she now has a treatment plan in place that allows her heart to function more normally.  

“It was very helpful to get the diagnosis,” Lily said. “Being aware is the best thing possible. If you know you have an issue, you can come up with a plan for the future and still be physically healthy.”  

The Toppen family has generously donated to the Young Hearts for Life event and strongly advocates for ECG testing. They know how important early detection can be.

“It truly made the difference in the life of our daughter. It gave Lily her life back,” Lily's parents said.

YH4L is the largest cardiac screening program in the United States and has performed more than 230,000 free ECGs for students in high school and college. For more information, visit www.yh4l.org.

Parent/Guardian pre-authorization is necessary for a student to be screened. Parents who wish to sign up their child for the screening can do so at screenings.yh4l.org.

St. Francis High School