Cardiac Screening The Medical Welfare Committee…

                     Cardiac Screening

The Medical Welfare Committee of the GAA recommends that in the
context of cardiac screening all participants over the age of 14 should
complete a cardiac screening questionnaire.

The questionnaire can de downloaded below.

It is recommended that, under the age of 21, the questionnaire should
be     filled   in   under     the    supervision/in    conjunction   with
parent(s)/guardian(s). Anyone answering yes to any of the questions
should discuss the findings with their family doctor.

Our suggestion would be that in the context of younger players
particularly, team managers and teachers should actively encourage
their players to fill in this questionnaire.

Of all the cardiac screening tools, the best predictor of sudden death
risk is a positive questionnaire.

There is a lack of scientific consensus on the overall value of further
screening.

Those who choose to pursue further screening however should be
aware of the following:

      Testing should be done in a centre where ECG's/ECHO are
      being reported by experienced sports cardiologists.

      There is a significant percentage that will have an abnormality
      which may require further evaluation.

      A percentage will end up uncertain as to whether it is safe for
      them to participate or not.
            Pre Participation Cardiac Screening Questionnaire
Personal Details:

Name:

Date of Birth:

Gender:

Parents/Guardians names:

Name of person to be contacted in an emergency:

Address:

Contact Telephone number:


History Screening:                                                             (Please Circle)

1. Has a doctor ever advised you not to participate in sport due to a heart    Yes      No
problem?
2. Do you have any heart conditions?                                           Yes      No

3. Are you taking any drugs for your heart?                                    Yes      No

4. Have you ever fainted during or after exercise?                             Yes      No

5. Have you ever been dizzy during or after exercise?                          Yes      No

6. Have you ever had chest pains during or after exercise?                     Yes      No

7. Do you tire more quickly than your friends during exercise?                 Yes      No

8. Have you ever been told that you have:
    a) High Blood Pressure?
    b) Heart Infection?
    c) Heart Murmur?
9. Have you ever had heart tests carried out by a doctor?                      Yes      No

10. Have you ever had very rapid heart beating that has begun and ended        Yes      No
for no apparent reason?
11. Has anyone in your family died before the age of fifty from a heart        Yes      No
condition for which no cause was found?

Explain the Yes answers:

        IF YOU ANSWER YES TO ANY OF THE ABOVE QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD
        CONSULT YOUR GP

        Please visit www.CRY.ie for further information on Cardiac Screening