The Todd's

***I find this very interesting and a much needed program. There are 2 parents in our support group that lost their sons to an undiagnosed heart defect. Both were in high school. Any parent can ask for a simple EKG and stress test from their family doctor but I believe these test will be offered in schools for all kids once awareness is raised about CHD's.**** Hope everyone is doing well! Laura

On Thursday, June 4th, there was a feature on Channel 11 in Houston on heart screenings at a Houston elementary school. The results were surprising. http://www.khou. com/news/ local/education/ stories/khou0906 04_jj_hearts- free-screening- key-middle- sch.4ab6e5ba. html

By Leigh Frillici / 11 News

HOUSTON -- In May, nearly 100 6th graders were screened for cardiac problems at Key Middle School. Preliminary results show that 10 of those children had problems that needed medical treatment. Two of those students had heart abnormalities that could have led to sudden death.

The findings led those two children to be treated at Children's Memorial Hermann. Five other Key Middle School students had heart conditions that need to be monitored. Three more students had high blood pressure problems that required treatment.

The results surprised Dr. John Higgins, the principal investigator of the Houston Early Age Risk Testing and Screening Study or HEARTS program.

Dr. Higgins said that previous studies indicated that researchers would find one out of 100 students would have heart conditions.

Instead his preliminary results showed one in ten students had problems. Higgins believes this program saved the lives of at least two students especially since Sudden Cardiac Arrest is a silent killer.

Often families do not realize their child has a heart condition until it is too late. Last year, two Houston area students died from heart abnormalities. Both were girls who were in the middle of playing basketball when they died on the court from sudden cardiac arrest.

This study differs from others done in the past. Most heart studies have focused on teen athletes.

The HEARTS program will be testing all 6^th graders in five area schools. The children will receive a physical, EKG and ECG for free.

The children that had medical problems will also receive treatment for free, including the children who may need surgery.

The Houston Rockets organization is behind a lot of the funding for this program along with the Memorial Hermann Foundation.

Doctors at Houston’s University of Texas Medical School are also involved with the program.

Dr. Higgins said he would like to expand the HEARTS program to test all 6^th graders in HISD. The problem is funding.

If anyone would like to contribute to the HEARTS fund, you can contact the Memorial Hermann Foundation at (713) 448-5249.

Low cost screening is also available to families that would like to have their children checked for underlying heart conditions. Screenings are available at the Memorial Hermann Heart and Vascular Institute - TMC. The cost is $150. Anyone wishing to schedule an appointment should call (713) 222-CARE.

Hello Everyone!

Well, at Nathans last visit Dr. Finnigan heard something in his lungs. I didnt mention it because I wasnt really too concerned. He went today to have Dr. Finnigan listen to them again. He heard the same thing. So, not good news. What does this mean? Well, not sure at this point. Dr. Finnigan seems to believe it could be the way his aortic arch is positioned next to his trachea. This would explain whay he tends to breath heavy when playing. At this time if this is the problem there is no cure. No medicine. No surgery. But sometimes kids grow out of it. We are going to wait and see if this is the case with Nathan. So please pray again! :-) He has a followup in July. If the sound is worse in his lungs we will do an MRI to see what exactly we are dealing with.

Hope everyone is well!

Laura