Flowers Hospital to Host Free Teen Heart Screen Event on February 21, 2026
1/28/2026
February is National Heart Month, and Flowers Hospital is joining Heart for Athletes to raise awareness about sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), which claims the lives of 23,000 children and young adults each year, by offering free cardiac screenings for teens and hands-only CPR and automated external defibrillator education in the Wiregrass.
The Free Teen Heart Screen will take place on Saturday, February 21, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Flowers Hospital and is open to students ages 13-18. While teens involved in athletics, cheerleading, marching band, drill team, or other high-intensity activities are encouraged to attend, the event welcomes all young people, because underlying heart conditions can affect anyone.
Screenings provided by Heart for Athletes aim to educate the public about warning signs, family heart history and risk factors that may often be missed or misdiagnosed. The initiative highlights the importance of early detection screening, which can identify youth at risk for SCA, and how anyone can help save an SCA victim by using CPR and an automated external defibrillator (AED) in a cardiac emergency.
The Heart for Athletes event at Flowers Hospital will include a non-invasive electrocardiogram (ECG) interpreted by physicians on the Heart for Athletes Medical Advisory team who are proficient in the interpretation of ECG in the population being screened, as well as hands-only CPR and AED use demonstrations. If a potential abnormality is detected, further evaluation will be recommended with a pediatric cardiologist.
Amy Cockrell, executive director of Heart for Athletes and parent of a 16-year-old sudden cardiac arrest survivor, emphasizes the importance of early detection. “One in 300 youth has an undetected heart condition that puts them at risk for sudden cardiac arrest or death. Early screening with a simple electrocardiogram, which we provide at our screening events, can prevent these tragedies,” said Cockrell. “Our work with Flowers Hospital brings this potentially life-saving test directly to teens in the Wiregrass.”
Parents or guardians are encouraged to accompany their student during the screening. Screenings are limited to the first 250 participants, and advance registration is required. To schedule a screening, visit https://HeartforAthletes.as.me/FlowersHospital.
Event check-in will be located in the outpatient registration area at Flowers Hospital. For more information, call (334) 793-5000.
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