North Eugene teen heart screening refers 41 students for follow-up, five to cardiology

A recent Teen Heart Screening and Teen Heart Health Expo at North Eugene High School flagged 41 students with previously undetected health concerns, five of which were recommended for follow-up to evaluate for heart issues, based on findings from the daylong health fair, PeaceHealth said in a media release.

PeaceHealth caregivers and volunteers partnered with community healthcare professionals for the event on Feb. 20 that screened 96 students between the ages of 9 and 19. They administered free heart screenings to check for undiagnosed heart conditions and also offered a wide range of information and resources to help teens stay healthy and safe.

The health fair was possible thanks to a gift from OCCU that supported a $50,000 grant from the Sacred Heart Medical Center Foundation. The grant funded the project in addition to purchasing automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for sites where local community youth sports are held. HSI also contributed funding for one EKG machine and Oregon CPR donated the tables for the screening.

The Oregon Heart & Vascular Institute’s Chest Pain Program, with support from Oregon Cardiology and PeaceHealth/Eugene School District 4J’s nurse practitioner, led the event.

The Oregon Cardiology team, including pediatric cardiologist Dr. Misty Carlson, provided heart screenings in addition to reviewing students’ heart health history and blood pressure.

41 students were referred for follow-up to their primary care provider or school nurse for issues relating to their blood pressure, heart rate or family history based on findings from the screening, including five who were referred to a cardiologist.

“Bringing our care out into the community and making it accessible through an event like this is one of the most important things we can do,” said Dr. Richard Padgett, executive medical director of the Oregon Heart & Vascular Institute and system medical director for cardiovascular services. “It can be life changing.”

In addition to heart screenings, hundreds of students took part in the Teen Health Expo, which focused on health topics such as sleep, stress, diet and exercise as well as distracted driving, online safety and substance abuse. Students had the chance to learn about hands-only CPR, AED use, Stop the Bleed and Narcan training, led by PeaceHealth’s Stroke Program and PeaceHealth/Eugene School District 4J nurse practitioner Tricia Schroffner.

“We’re so grateful to be able to bring this important and potentially lifesaving health event back to the Eugene-Springfield community,” said Megan, the event’s organizer with the Oregon Heart & Vascular Institute. The health fair was last held in 2020 before being halted by the pandemic.