Mandatory Heart Screenings for Florida Student-Athletes: A Safety Measure

Sudden cardiac arrest is the primary cause of death among student-athletes. It often strikes without prior symptoms. Because of this danger, the Miami-Dade School Board and the State of Florida mandate electrocardiograms for all student-athletes before participating in sports.

Why does my high school child need a heart screening before playing sports?

High school sports provide valuable experiences. Students learn teamwork, discipline, listening to coaches, handling successes and failures, and enjoying the game.

Heart screenings aim to avert tragic on-campus deaths or incidents during games. Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) tops the causes of death among student-athletes. It usually occurs unexpectedly, and unfortunately, more than 90% of SCA victims do not survive, often unaware of their risk.

To address this issue, the Miami-Dade County School Board and the State of Florida have implemented the ‘Second Chance Act.’ This requires electrocardiograms (ECGs or EKGs) for all student-athletes in Florida before they engage in sports activities.

How do I get my child screened?

Florida’s sports medicine community is committed to maintaining athletes’ health and safety. Coaches receive training in CPR, and each school must have an automated external defibrillator (AED). Heat illness prevention is also taught.

An ECG, or electrocardiogram, is a straightforward and painless test that evaluates the heart’s electrical activity. Combined with a health questionnaire and physical exam, it provides an extra layer of safety. Many local healthcare providers, including Baptist Health and Nicklaus Children’s, offer screenings at no or low cost. Florida law caps the test cost at $50.

The primary objective is to ensure children’s safety in sports. Like any screening, an ECG is not foolproof. Some children may show abnormal results and need specialist consultation, but these may be false alarms, allowing them to resume play.

Early screenings are advisable to accommodate any additional testing requirements. While incidents are uncommon and might appear unwarranted, this simple test offers every child a deserved chance.

Dr. Michael Swartzon, a sports medicine doctor at Baptist Health South Florida, collaborates with sports teams like the Miami Dolphins, Florida Panthers, and InterMiami CF. Contact him at [email protected].

This article was first published on July 24, 2026, at 1:33 PM.