Young Hearts for Life (YHFL) is an organization that has thousands of volunteers go to schools each month to set up free Electrocardiogram (EKG) screenings for high schools in the Chicagoland area. EKG screenings typically cost around $250, but these students have the opportunity to get a screening twice in four years for free. 

YHFL came to SC on March 11, and will be at NC on March 25. EKG’s will be occurring during all student’s P.E classes and health classes. Sign-ups are still available, and there is a link in all students’ email to sign up. Typically, students can even still sign up in person on the day of the screening. 

An EKG can identify approximately 70% of conditions that can cause SCD (Sudden Cardiovascular Arrest) while a standard sports physical can only detect about 4%. Taking advantage of this opportunity can be life-saving.

“I believe the screenings are very important,” physical education teacher Kurt Weinburg said. “Any time you can possibly find something that can save someone’s life, it is obviously worth doing. Most students do participate.”

Denise Arenz is a volunteer for YHFL, and travels to multiple locations in the Chicago Metro Area.

YH4L was founded in 2005 by Dr. Joseph Marek as a response to the continuous number of young adults that die from Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD). A family who lost their child asked him if there was any test that could have detected their child’s condition, Arenz said.

“A director, and a nurse oversee the program, and there are fostered relationships with doctors,” Arenz said. “This is a huge part of how the organization can be run by volunteer work. Even the Medical Director, Frank Zimmerman, is a volunteer.”

YHFL has the largest EKG screening of its kind in the U.S. and has screened more than 335,000 students, Arenz said. They offer free EKGs to all students, not just athletes.

“We want to educate the community about SCD and how it can be prevented,” Arenz said.

Not only does the organization give ECG Screenings, but they also take the time to go to each school and community. They also provide families who have lost a child or sibling from SCD, with support.