Sports Medicine · Novi, MI · Oakland County

WHY SCREENING MATTERS

Hidden heart conditions have no symptoms — until they do

Sudden cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of death in young athletes during sports activities — and it is most often caused by undetected heart conditions. Many of these conditions produce no warning signs. Screening finds them before they become emergencies.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) A thickening of the heart muscle that can obstruct blood flow. HCM is the leading cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes — and most affected athletes have no symptoms beforehand.	Long QT Syndrome An inherited condition that affects the heart’s electrical system and rhythm. Can cause sudden fainting or cardiac arrest during exertion. Identified on an EKG — completely missed without one.	ARVC Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy — a disease where heart muscle is progressively replaced by fatty tissue, causing dangerous arrhythmias that can be triggered by intense exercise.
Congenital Coronary Artery Anomalies Abnormalities in the origin or course of the coronary arteries that reduce blood flow to the heart during exertion — often the second most common cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes.	Myocarditis Inflammation of the heart muscle, often following a viral infection. Exercise during active myocarditis dramatically increases the risk of sudden cardiac death — making return-to-play evaluation critical after illness.	Arrhythmias Atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, and other rhythm abnormalities can be unmasked by intense exertion. Many are detectable with a standard EKG.

WHAT THE SCREENING INCLUDES

A comprehensive evaluation — not just a checkbox

Our cardiovascular screening for young athletes follows evidence-based guidelines and includes multiple layers of evaluation to give you the most complete picture of your athlete’s heart health.

1 History Review Personal and family history — chest pain, fainting, palpitations, family history of sudden death or heart disease

2 Physical Exam Vital signs, cardiac auscultation for murmurs, blood pressure in both arms, and physical signs of connective tissue disorders

3 EKG On-site electrocardiogram to detect arrhythmias, conduction abnormalities, and signs of structural heart disease — reviewed same visit

4 Echo if Indicated Echocardiogram referral if the history, exam, or EKG suggests a structural abnormality requiring further imaging

5 Further Testing Exercise stress testing, Holter monitoring, or cardiac MRI when additional evaluation is clinically warranted

Where can my child get a cardiovascular screening in Novi, MI?

PrimeCare of Novi offers sports medicine cardiovascular screening at 39555 W. Ten Mile Road, Suite 302, Novi, MI 48375. Dr. Victor Faris is a fellowship-trained sports medicine physician who performs pre-participation cardiovascular evaluations including history review, physical examination, and on-site EKG. Call (248) 426-7200 or request an appointment online.

Does every young athlete need cardiovascular screening?

Most governing bodies and sports medicine organizations recommend pre-participation cardiovascular evaluation for athletes before beginning competitive sports. This is especially important for athletes with a personal or family history of heart conditions, unexplained fainting, chest pain during exercise, or a family history of sudden death in a young relative. Even without risk factors, screening provides important baseline information and peace of mind.

Is an EKG part of the standard screening?

We include an EKG as part of our cardiovascular screening evaluation. An EKG can identify Long QT Syndrome, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patterns, and other electrical abnormalities that would be missed by history and physical examination alone. Our EKG is performed on-site and reviewed by Dr. Faris the same visit.

What happens if something concerning is found?

If the screening identifies a potentially concerning finding, Dr. Faris will discuss next steps with you and your child directly. This may include further testing such as an echocardiogram, Holter monitoring, or referral to a pediatric cardiologist. Finding something does not necessarily mean your child cannot play — it means we have the information needed to make the safest decision. Most findings turn out to be benign variants.

Can the cardiovascular screening be combined with a sports physical?

Yes. We can combine a pre-participation sports physical with cardiovascular screening in a single appointment. This is the most efficient approach for most families — one visit covers the physical clearance required for school sports participation plus the more comprehensive cardiac evaluation. Call our office to schedule a combined appointment.

Is cardiovascular screening covered by insurance?

Pre-participation physical exams and EKGs ordered for medical indication or part of a well child exam are typically covered by most major insurance plans. Coverage for specific components of the screening may vary by plan. Call our office at (248) 426-7200 and our staff will help verify your coverage before your appointment.