Here are six things to know:
1 The top cause of death among high school athletes is sudden cardiac arrest, according to a Heart Rhythm Society study.
2. In the past decade, more than 76 high school athletes have died from heart conditions in Texas.
3. No states have mandated heart examinations for high school athletes to clear them for play.
4. Bills requiring EKG testing for athletes have been vetoed by Texas in the past two legislative sessions.
5. Policy makers opposed the bills because of the rate of false positive, which is a mere 2.8 percent to 5 percent. They are also concerned about the costs of the test, which could cost up to $1,000.
6. Undetected conditions causing sudden cardiac death are 4.5 times more prevalent in athletes than non-athletic students. The first physical system of cardiac arrest is the heart stopping for 80 percent of sudden cardiac cases.
More on sports medicine:
San Diego Chargers’ new head team physician is Dr. Tal David: 5 things to know
5 things to know about Dr. Alan Nasar’s presentation on treating sports injuries
Pressure to clear concussed athletes: 4 notes
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