Sad story. Italy has required universal 12-lead ECG screenings for all young athletes before they engage in sport since 1982. Since then, deaths from sudden cardiac arrest among young Italian athletes dropped almost 90%. Some colleges now do the same with all incoming athletes. Is it time to do this at the high school level?
The European Society of Cardiology things so, based on the data from Italy. Thus far the American College of Preventative Medicine does not agree--they feel the costs aren't worth the potential benefit.