Is Your Athlete’s Heart Truly Protected?

The “Second Chance Act” (§1006.20, Florida Statutes), effective July 1, 2026, requires public school student-athletes in grades 9–12 to complete at least one electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) screening before participating in interscholastic sports. This law was passed to combat Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), the leading medical cause of death among student-athletes.

Keys AHEC offers Monroe County School District student athletes who are new to high school sports (incoming 9th graders and those who have never participated in school sports) an ECG at no out-of-pocket cost. This includes a sports physical as needed. By appointment ONLY. Call 305-743-7111 Extension 210 and ask for the ECG TEST. Patient forms can be downloaded below.

1. Standard Physicals Are Not Enough

The standard youth wellness checkup or sports physical typically misses 96% of deadly heart conditions. While those exams check for general health, they often fail to detect underlying electrical or structural issues in the heart.

2. SCA is Often Symptomless

For 80% of young people affected by Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), the very first symptom is the arrest itself. You cannot wait for warning signs like chest pain or fainting because, in most cases, they never happen.

3. High Detection Rates

An ECG is the most effective tool to identify youth at risk. It is approximately 95% effective at identifying Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), which is the leading cause of sudden cardiac death in people under the age of 30.

4. It is More Common Than You Think

Heart conditions are not “one-in-a-million” occurrences:

• 1 in 300 youth have a detectable and potentially life-threatening heart condition.
• SCA is the #1 leading cause of death on school campuses and the #1 leading cause of death in youth sports.

5. Referral

Keys AHEC will link you with a Pediatric Cardiologist for any health care needs.

ECG Preparticipation Physical Evaluation Forms

Keys AHEC Medical Consent Forms