Young Hearts for Life
FInd a heart specialistFree cardiac screenings for adolescents and young adults
Each week, sudden cardiac death claims the lives of more than 60 young adults in the United States. In an effort to help prevent sudden cardiac deaths, Advocate Health Care partners with Young Hearts for Life®, (YH4L) a free cardiac screening program for students ages 12 through 24.
Founded in 2006 by cardiologist Dr. Joseph Marek, YH4L is the largest youth heart screening program in the U.S. The program’s training model has become the international standard for training community volunteers to deliver low-cost, efficient and life-saving electrocardiogram (ECG) screenings. Part of their mission is to educate the community about sudden death in young adults and to help schools be prepared to deal with cardiac arrest.
Register for a local screening event
Support Young Hearts for Life
YH4L relies on donations from people who care deeply about these screenings and about providing education about how to help prevent sudden cardiac death in teenagers and young adults. Your donation could save lives.
Accomplishments of Young Hearts for Life
Through the program:
- Over a quarter million students have been screened for conditions that cause sudden cardiac death – a first for any heart screening program of this kind anywhere in the world.
- More than 18,000 community volunteers have been trained to provide screenings.
- Over 3,100 students have been identified as "at risk" following a screening. Of those, hundreds were found to have life-threatening conditions.
Visit the YH4L website to learn more or to find and register for a local screening.
Painless peace of mind for your teen: Undiagnosed heart conditions can cause sudden cardiac arrest in young people, often without warning. A free ECG screening can help prevent it.
Common causes of sudden cardiac arrest
The most common causes of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in children and young adults are either electrical or heart muscle issues. Often, SCD will occur without previous warning signs.
A number of cardiac conditions may result in sudden death. An ECG can detect impulse patterns or markers associated with these conditions that a stethoscope cannot.
The most common cardiac conditions that can cause SCD are:
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome
- Long QT syndrome
- Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia
All these life-threatening conditions have been found through YH4L screenings.
A sports physical can only detect 4% of students at risk for sudden cardiac death. An ECG can detect up to 70% of conditions which can cause sudden cardiac death.
YH4L has specially trained cardiologists present on site to read all ECGs. Fewer than 2% of YH4L screenings produce false positive results.
Students’ confidentiality, privacy and individual modesty are respected throughout all aspects of the program. Only female technicians test the girls. Girls and boys are screened in separate areas.
What else does YH4L do to tackle the problem of SCD in young adults?
YH4L works closely with families who have lost a child or sibling to sudden cardiac death. Their Gold Heart Families group meets regularly to offer support and education to those who have suffered the same unimaginable loss. Educational speakers address the needs of this group. The group also provides social support time.
High school and college students are involved with YH4L through a variety of activities.
- Junior Boards: Over 50 students from 17 local high schools serve on these boards which meet once a month to hear educational speakers as well as work on projects to educate their peers on sudden cardiac arrest.
- AED program: An opportunity for a school to win a free automated external defibrillator (AED). This is supported through the efforts of our Junior Board and sponsors.
- Student video contest: This program provides another way for any student to become involved while showing their talents and earning some money. (See our YouTube page to view some of these creative videos).
Each school that is screened by YH4L can work with our medical staff to evaluate their emergency action plan. Since an ECG will not identify 100% of the students at risk for sudden death, an emergency action plan is essential. We review plans with school personnel and assist them to be prepared to handle cardiac emergencies.
Young Hearts for Life appreciates our sponsors
In addition to Advocate Health Care, the Young Hearts for Life program is blessed with many generous sponsors and donors. Without the support of these sponsors (local hospitals, schools, community groups, foundations) we would not be able to continue our important mission to prevent sudden death in our youth. Thank you to everyone who has made these screenings possible.
Find an event & register
Find more information on the YH4L website about how to register for an event, host an event or sponsor the program..
