In a mission now spanning over a decade, KPRC 2 and Investigative Reporter Bill Spencer have partnered with the Cody Stephens Foundation to bring about a positive change in the lives of teen athletes. Their joint efforts, dedicated to preventing tragic incidents related to undetected heart defects, recently culminated in a heart screening event that delivered results beyond expectations.
This past Saturday, 313 teen athletes participated in a specialized ECG test, surpassing the standard sports exams mandated by schools. Unlike routine physicals, an ECG (Electrocardiogram), also known as an EKG, delves into the intricate details of the heart’s electrical signals, potentially uncovering problems that might go unnoticed.
One mother, Melody Vasik, emphasized the importance of the event as she brought her son, saying, “We have a history of heart problems in our family. So I just wanted to make sure he’s okay.”
Another parent, Rosa Elisea, saw this as a great opportunity to get her daughter, Charley, tested while she’s actively participating in sports.
The impact of the heart screening event was profound, with three teens having serious hidden heart abnormalities identified. Shockingly, two of them were diagnosed with the most deadly form of hidden heart ailment – Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. These screenings proved instrumental in detecting life-threatening issues, serving as a stark reminder of the critical importance of proactive heart health measures for young athletes.
Dr. Thomas Debauche, the cardiologist working with the team, explained the dangers of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, stating, “The problem is the heart muscle is too thick and it will contract with more work than benefit to the body and that gets worse and worse and worse until there’s one final contraction in which the heart cramps up and will not beat any further and that’s sudden death. That is it.”
The story of 17-year-old Kade Smith serves as a firsthand account of the dangers of not being tested. In 2021, Kade suffered cardiac arrest and nearly lost his life on the running track at Boling High School. Reflecting on the incident, Kade shared, “My vision started fading, all the colors turning gray, and then my hearing was going out and just as I crossed the finish line I bumped into my friend and I said ‘I’m sorry due,’ and right then I just faceplanted right there on the track, right on the finish line.”
Dr. Debauche emphasized that when a teen is found to have a hidden heart defect, their parents are notified within one to two days, and they are referred to the exact kind of doctor they need to see. Notably, surgery is usually not required, as in Smith’s case – he required no surgery, is being treated with medication, and is back playing baseball.
Kade expressed his gratitude, stating, “Yes, Bill, I am back playing baseball, and I’m feeling better than I ever have and doing better than I ever have.” His story is a testament to the lifesaving impact of these heart screenings.
As the mission continues, additional heart-screening events for teen athletes will be held throughout the year. Keep an eye on KPRC 2 and click2houston.com for announcements, and take the proactive step towards ensuring the heart health of the young athletes in your life. The collaborative efforts of KPRC 2, Bill Spencer, and the Cody Stephens Foundation are undeniably making a difference, one heart screening at a time.