Las Vegas, NV – July 31, 2024 – The College of Southern Nevada (CSN) is set to make history by setting a new standard by mandating heart screening as part of its athletic program. The inaugural screening event will take place on August 4, 2024, at CSN’s North Las Vegas Campus.
In a collaborative effort with Vegas Has A Heart, this initiative is dedicated to screening all young athletes in Las Vegas free of charge and is made possible through the generous support of Cardiac Insight Inc., Meesha Moulton Law, United Healthcare Health Plan of Nevada – Medicaid, LVAC, Dr. Richard Samson, an electrophysiologist at Nevada Children’s Heart Center, and Who We Play For.
The screenings will utilize the Cardea 20/20 ECG device, trusted by the Las Vegas Raiders for its accuracy and reliability in testing young athletes 14 years and older, and the official ECG provider for Vegas Has A Heart. The device is engineered to have a false positive rate of approximately 2 percent, compared to the industry norm of up to 30%, eliminating needless delays and anxiety from undue sidelining of young athletes.
“We are proud to be the first institution in Nevada to mandate heart screenings for all our athletes,” said Dr. Federico Zaragoza, President of the College of Southern Nevada. Yvonne Wade, Director of Athletics and Recreation, added, “Ensuring the heart health of young athletes is so important. Establishing regular heart screening not only safeguards their wellbeing, it enhances their performance and longevity in sports. It is our responsibility as an athletic department to prioritize their health and wellbeing above all else and a healthy heart is the foundation for a successful athletic career.”
The heart screening event is a first for CSN and the state of Nevada, positioning the college as a leader in student-athletes’ health. By implementing this program and opening it to the community, CSN aims to inspire other institutions to adopt similar measures, fostering a safer and healthier environment for all athletes.
About the College of Southern Nevada:
The College of Southern Nevada (CSN) is the largest and most ethnically diverse higher education institution in Nevada. With a commitment to student success and a vision to be recognized as a leader among community colleges, CSN provides high-quality education and career training in a wide array of fields.
About Cardiac Insight Inc.:
Cardiac Insight Inc. is dedicated to developing advanced cardiac care solutions. Their flagship product, Cardea 20/20, is a cutting-edge ECG system designed to deliver accurate and timely ECG interpretation specifically for active youth athletes ages 14 and above. Cardiac Insight’s mission is to enhance patient care through innovative technology and comprehensive support.
