POLK COUNTY, Fla. – AdventHealth physicians and the Bond Clinic are teaming up with 10 high schools in East Polk County to provide free annual sports physicals to hundreds of student-athletes to make sure they are fit and healthy to participate in their upcoming sports seasons safely.
Providers will check blood pressure, complete muscular-skeletal exams and look for things like heart murmurs, joint tenderness and neck and back injuries at Davenport High School at 4525 County Road 547 N. in Davenport on Friday, May 31.
The event runs from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Each school will have a specific arrival time for students and parents.
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“We are very thankful to be able to offer these student athletes these important examinations, so they are able to safely play whatever sport they choose and have fun,” said Dr. Jose Fernandez Duarte, chief medical officer at AdventHealth Heart of Florida and AdventHealth Lake Wales. “By offering these free physicals we make it easy for the students to get a thorough check up before they take the field, track, court, golf course or pool in the year ahead. We are also grateful to our amazing partners at the Bond Clinic for joining us in helping to give back to our community.”
“We are happy to partner with Adventhealth for the third consecutive year to assist students and parents with physicals so they may enjoy the sport or sports of their choice. We understand that sporting events play an important role in friendships and healthy activity for these students, and having the foundation of a quality physical from a medical professional is key.” Dr. Panagiotis Lakovidis, CEO of The Bond Clinic.
It is common to assume that children and young adults have healthy hearts because they are young, but it is 2.5 times more likely for sudden cardiac arrest to occur in young athletes than non-athletes. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the most common cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes, occurs in one in every 500 people.
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A general exam, a look at family history and an ECG can help identify at-risk athletes. Being active and playing sports is encouraged, but AdventHealth also wants to make sure kids are playing safely, especially those involved in more intense high school sports.
Consider your family’s health history. If any of the following questions are a “yes,” they will need further evaluation:
- Has your child ever fainted during exertion?
- Has your child ever experienced chest pain during exertion?
- Has anyone in your family ever died of sudden cardiac failure?
All physicals are free for all students in attendance. Students must pre-register. Pre-registration closes at 5 p.m. on May 30. Link to registration page: 2024 School Sports Physicals Pre-Registration Form (office.com)
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