Free teen heart screenings to be provided

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - Two Laredo health facilities have teamed up with a non-profit organization to check on teen's hearts.

The Cigarroa Clinic and Driscoll Hospital, in partnership with the Championship Hearts Foundation, is offering 150 Laredo teenagers between the ages of 14 and 17 a free Echo and EKG exam.

The exams check for abnormalities in the heart that are not detected in sports physical exams.

Laredo Pediatric Cardiologist, Claire Cigarroa, says one of the conditions they're screening for can be fatal if not detected and treated.

Cigarroa mentioned, "We're trying to screen for diagnoses called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which puts teens at risk of sudden death, especially with athletics, and without screening. Often, there are no other signs or ways of telling that you have this disease."

The screening will take place on Saturday, October 19, at the Cigarroa Clinic located at 1710 E Saunders St. Tower B, Suite 500.

They will go on from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and you can register here .

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