Nearly 200 teenagers and young adults received free cardiac exams at a Heart Screen New York community event on Feb. 7 at Seaford Middle School. The screening was a partnership between the Seaford School District, Louis J. Acompora Memorial Foundation and Dominic A. Murray 21 Memorial Foundation.
After checking in and submitting a heart history form, participants went into the gymnasium for a blood pressure check. Boys and girls then entered separate screening areas where their height and weight was measured. They underwent an EKG, which records the electrical activity of the heart, followed by analysis of heart sounds.
If medical professionals determined a need for further evaluation, participants were given an echocardiogram, which creates images of the heart’s structure and function using sound waves.
Results were discussed during consultations with cardiologists. After leaving the gym, participants visited a station to learn CPR and how to use an automated external defibrillator, another way of fulfilling the event’s life-saving mission. Upon checking out, youngsters received copies of their EKG results, which they were encouraged to give to their pediatricians or physicians.
Kevin Witt, Seaford’s director of physical education, health and athletics, said that 198 people took advantage of the screening, which was open to community residents ages 12 to 24. There were several walk-ins in addition to advance registrants. Many of the participants were athletes from Seaford Middle School and Seaford High School.
There were 146 volunteers from the Acompora and Murray foundations, including doctors, nurses, medical students and CPR instructors. Several administrators and teachers from Seaford also volunteered throughout the six-hour event.
The Louis J. Acompora Memorial Foundation is named in honor of a teen who died in 2000 from a condition known as commotio cordis while playing lacrosse at 14 years old. It is led by his parents, John and Karen Acompora.
The Dominic A. Murray 21 Memorial Foundation is in honor of a young man who died on the basketball court in 2009 after going into sudden cardiac arrest. Dominic’s mother, Melinda Murray-Nyack, is the founder and president. The two foundations have screened thousands of students since the heart screen program began more than a decade ago.
Witt said that planning for the Seaford screening event began about a year ago.
The two foundations also hosted a heart in the district in 2015. He noted the importance of early detection if someone does have a heart issue, and they can be referred to specialists for treatment.
“This was a great opportunity to get the youngsters in our community a thorough heart examination,” Mr. Witt said. “This goes beyond a routine check-up.”
Sophomore Brock Conway, a three-sport athlete at Seaford High School, came with other members of the wrestling team for a screening. He appreciated that this opportunity was offered in his community.
“It’s important for me and my health,” Brock said. “It was well-organized and I also learned CPR. This is really great and I’m glad I was able to come and get screened.”
