OLLU conducted cardiovascular testing of its athletes

The facts are alarming. Sudden Cardiac Arrest is the No. 1 medical cause of death in young athletes. Every three days in the United States, a young athlete dies from Sudden Cardiac Arrest, and 60-80 percent of athletes who experience Sudden Cardiac Death do not have recognized warning signs or symptoms prior to their events. Last week, OLLU, in partnership with Wimbledon Health Partners/Wimbledon Athletics, conducted cardiovascular testing of its student-athletes. Medical personnel from Wimbledon, based out of Boca Raton, Fla., travel throughout the country to provide on-site cardiovascular testing at colleges and universities. Representatives perform EKG and Echocardiography testing on student-athletes to help screen for 14 different cardiac conditions, such as sudden cardiac death.

OLLU’s Director of Health Services Nurse Practitioner Dr. Julie C. Stuckey, DNP, ANP, APNP-C, said arranging for Wimbledon to come to OLLU was out of a desire to give student-athletes another tool to keep them healthy for success both in the classroom and on the playing field. “Our goal is to keep our athletes healthy. They must be 100 percent when they are practicing and playing, so this test is critical in ensuring there is nothing preventing them from being 100 percent.”

Wimbledon worked with Dr. Stuckey and her staff to set up their triage center in the University Wellness and Activities Center (UWAC). Wimbledon manages all aspects of the testing including working with the student-athletes’ health insurance companies, which will be billed for the cost of the test. Tests are non-invasive, involve no radiation exposure, and the privacy of the student-athletes is maintained.