Free EKG Testing Offered Today at GNHS

The first sign of cardiac disease in young people is often sudden death. They collapse, frequently during vigorous exercise, and die. Having a simple EKG test can help avoid this scenario.

To make it easy to obtain, Grayslake North High School is offering a free EKG test today, Wednesday, March 9 for any student who brings in a form.

Principal Scott Fech said more than 800 students had already signed up for the EKGs. He sent out a phone message to parents in the district Tuesday urging them to take advantage of the free service to ensure that their children have no hidden heart defects.

The project is called Screens for Teens, the Max Schewitz Foundation’s EKG screening provided at no cost to the student.

The program honors Max Schewitz, a life‐long Lake Bluff resident, who died at age 20 from sudden cardiac death (SCD) in 2005. He had no prior evidence of cardiac disease.

An EKG test can detect markers of certain serious heart conditions, undetectable by a stethoscope. To date, more than 11,300 students have received EKGs through this program, according to the Foundation.

Testing at Grayslake North will be conducted in private booths set up in the gym.  Cardiologist Eli Lavie, MD of North Shore Cardiologists will read all EKGs. Results are confidential and will be distributed only to parents within three weeks of the screening.

Only parents of students with EKGs requiring follow‐up will get the actual EKG test. EKGs within normal limits will be destroyed.

Participation is optional.

For more information, go to the school website at www.north.d127.org or the foundation website at www.maxandthewildthings.com