INFORMATION RELEASE
January 20, 2010
Contact:
Julie Greenberg
512/340-7320
Championship Hearts Foundation
Information regarding recent sudden cardiac deaths of 2 elite athletes
HCM and Athletes
Austin, Texas - The recent death of Chicago Bears defensive end Gaines Adams and Jeron Lewis, Southern Indiana University basketball player have the sports world questioning whether these two athletes could have been saved, had they known about their disorder. Both athletes have been reported as having an "enlarged heart."
With autopsies under way to confirm the causes of deaths, one case is thought to be caused by a genetic heart disorder called Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy or HCM.
An enlarged heart is not unusual among athletes and most times will not lead to problems; however, an enlarged heart can also be caused by HCM. Affecting one in 500 of the general population, HCM sometimes has no signs or symptoms until a player drops.
The good news is that this disorder can usually be detected through a limited echocardiogram. Championship Hearts Foundation provides this quick and painless test, free to all student athletes, ages 14-18. Below is a listing of our next heart screenings and their locations.
Please feel free to forward, distribute, or post to your website this information to your school, parents, and any active athlete including cheerleaders, marching band, too!
Need more info?
Check our website: www.championshipheartsfoundation.org for more details on HCM, fact sheets, and other resources on HCM.
Upcoming Free Heart Screenings
January 30th, 2010 (8:00 am to 12:00 noon) - Lonestar Circle of Care's Adolescent Health & Wellness Clinic, 3950 North A.W. Grimes Blvd, Round Rock, Texas 78664
February 20th, 2010 (8:00 am to 12:00 noon) - Heart Hospital of Austin, 3801 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, Texas 78756
July 31st, 2010 (8:00 am to 12:00 noon) - Heart Hospital of Austin
August 28th, 2010 (8:00 am to 12:00 noon) - Heart Hospital of Austin
*Screenings are first-come, first-serve basis, no reservations required.
*We will be adding more screenings for 2010, so check our website for more dates and times
Case Worker
Community Health Education and Social Services
Williamson Co. & Cities Health District
211 Commerce Blvd, Round Rock Tx. 78664
Phone:(512)248-3252
Fax: (512)248-3286