Ridgefield Students Host Free Cardiac Screening For Local Youth

RIDGEFIELD, CT — Students at Ridgefield High School are partnering with the Connecticut-based nonprofit In A Heartbeat to offer free cardiac screenings for young people in the community.

The screening event will take place on April 3 from 3 to 7 p.m. in the school's Student Center. It is open to children, teens and young adults, but pre-registration is required.

Organizers say the screenings, which include electrocardiograms (EKGs), aim to identify risk factors for sudden cardiac arrest, a rare but potentially fatal condition that can affect youth with undiagnosed heart disease.

“Partnering with In A Heartbeat allows us to make a real difference in our community,” said Scarlett Fixler, one of the student organizers.

The nonprofit will staff the event with trained volunteer technicians. During the screening, each participant will complete a questionnaire developed by the American Heart Association, followed by a painless EKG test. The process takes about 10 minutes.

Parents may accompany their child during the screening, but it is not required if the child is pre-registered.

Families will receive EKG results by email within two weeks. If an abnormality is detected, a cardiologist will contact the family to explain the findings and discuss potential next steps. Results are kept confidential and are not shared with the school or any third parties.

To register or learn more, go here. Additional information about the organization is available at its website here.