A Florida high school student-athlete, previously unaware of any health issues, had a hidden heart defect discovered thanks to a mandatory electrocardiogram (ECG) screening. The Second Chance Act, which went into effect July 1, requires students in grades 9 through 12 to undergo at least one ECG screening during their first participation or tryout for interscholastic athletics, with some exceptions.
Cameron Crider, a sophomore football and basketball player at Calvary Christian High School in Clearwater, was among the first to benefit from the new law. His school mandates ECGs for all student athletes, leading to the detection of an atrial septal defect (ASD), a congenital condition involving an opening between the two upper chambers of the heart. Cameron had no prior symptoms and was surprised by the diagnosis.
"I’ve been playing [sports] my whole life and didn’t notice anything, so I was surprised because I haven’t felt anything," Cameron told FOX 13. His mother, Laura Crider, added that he never experienced fatigue or shortness of breath, even during intense practices. "So, we were completely shocked."
An ASD, if left untreated, can lead to serious health complications over time, including pulmonary hypertension, heart failure, and stroke, due to the strain placed on the heart and lungs by increased blood flow. Cameron is scheduled for surgery in October and is expected to return to sports next season.
Laura Crider described the mandatory screening as a "gift from God," emphasizing that unlike many parents who discover such conditions through tragedy, her family received a clear diagnosis and treatment plan.
Experts note that a significant portion of young athletes who experience sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) during exercise, a leading cause of death in such situations, show no prior warning symptoms. The American Heart Association (AHA) states that intense physical activity can exacerbate undetected heart conditions, making them dangerous for athletes. The AHA does not currently recommend universal mandatory ECG screenings for all student athletes, instead advocating for a comprehensive assessment that includes a review of personal and family history and a physical examination. They suggest that if this assessment raises concerns, further testing, such as an ECG, may be ordered.
However, Dr. Jonathan Drezner, director of the University of Washington Medicine Center for Sports Cardiology, asserts that an ECG, when properly interpreted, is a highly effective screening tool. He stated that a standard sports physical often misses up to 80-90% of at-risk heart conditions in young people, while an ECG can identify approximately 80% of conditions that put young individuals at risk. Drezner advises parents to ensure their children feel well during exercise and to discuss any family history of heart conditions with a doctor, recommending an ECG screening in such cases. He also noted that symptoms like chest pain, fainting, or a racing heart should never be ignored.