Public Health BY JOEY BERLIN
Following the science
TMA ADVOCATES FULL PHYSICAL, HISTORY TO PREVENT SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST IN STUDENT ATHLETES
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House Bill 767 would have required all athletes whom the University Interscholas- tic League requires to have a preparticipation physical exam to also undergo an electrocardiogram (EKG). The bill stalled in the Sen- ate Education Committee. TMA and the Texas Pediatric Society acknowledged EKGs could enhance screening for cardiac disorders but said the medical evidence doesn’t support mass screening.
T
he natural emotional re- action to the death of a young person is often to
advocate doing anything and ev- erything to prevent more young hearts from giving out well before their time. Three years ago, the tragic death of Cody Stephens, a student athlete at Crosby High School, pushed his father and like- minded legislators into action. On May 6, 2012, Cody, who had
been a football player at Crosby and was just weeks from gradu- ating, took a nap at his home and never woke up. Cody died from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). His father, Scott Stephens, didn’t know his son had a heart condition. Mr. Stephens and a group of
lawmakers dedicated their energy to preventing more heartbreaking cases like Cody’s and supported House Bill 767 this legislative ses-
PHOTO BY STEWART COHEN / VSTOCK / GETTY IMAGES July 2015 TEXAS MEDICINE 47
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