Cardiac screenings to be offered in Newport

A Laguna Beach-based organization is offering cardiac screenings at the Newport Beach lifeguard headquarters building next week.

Hosted by the Newport Beach Junior Lifeguards, Heartfelt Cardiac Projects will do testing from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. on July 31 at the building, located next to Newport Pier.

The screenings, which include an echocardiogram and electrocardiogram, typically cost $1,500 and are not usually covered by insurance, according to the organization.

Heartfelt Cardiac Projects asks for an $85 donation.

The tests are painless and take about 15 minutes, said screening coordinator Jackie Marsh. They are available to people at least 5 years old.

Especially after the death of an Orange County high school student this month, the group hopes also to raise awareness of sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes.

Cardiac arrest kills a young athlete every three days in the United States, Marsh said.

“Kids continue to die and it’s a big problem,” said Marsh, who lost two brothers to cardiac arrest. “That’s why we hear about these deaths continually.”

Those interested in participating in the screening should sign up at https://www.heartfeltcardiacprojects.org/schedule-a-screening/https://www.heartfeltcardiacprojects.org/schedule-a-screening/

— Emily Foxhall

Twitter: @emfoxhall