Dr. Batten Participates in Heart Screening Event for High School Athletes

Daphne High School Swim Team member David Wildebrandt receives a heart screening Aug. 16, 2014. 

Dr. Lynn Batten, director of the division of pediatric cardiology at the University of South Alabama, recently partnered with Heart for Athletes to conduct a free heart screening event for high school athletes.

"We screened 62 athletes with no significant abnormalities found," Dr. Batten said. "It ran very smoothly, and we do plan to host another event this fall."

The Heart for Athletes heart screening included a health history form, blood pressure check, an EKG, and a brief echo. The EKG is a recording of the electrical activity of the heart, and the echo captures images of the heart with ultrasound. All EKG's and echos were read by Dr. Batten. Other demonstrations, such as CPR and AED (automated external defibrillator) training, were also provided.

"We'd like to especially thank our USA volunteers, Gretchen Dempsey, Margaret Johnston, Iris Fulton, Dr. Lamya Mubayed, Katie Laycock, Matt Cauley, Mary Emily Davidson, Sheri Fisher, Howard Holcomb, and Donna Copeland," Dr. Batten said. "And, of course, none of it would've happened without Amy Cockrell, who did an amazing job of organizing the event."

To learn more about the event and to view more photos, click here.