UCF Lake Nona Hospital to Offer Free Heart Screenings for Youth

UCF Lake Nona Hospital will host free electrocardiogram (ECG) heart screenings for children, teens, and young adults next month in an effort to help prevent sudden cardiac arrest among student athletes.

The screening event, scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 7, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., is being held in partnership with Who We Play For, an Orlando-based nonprofit dedicated to reducing sudden cardiac deaths in young people through accessible heart screenings.

The clinic will be open to youth ages 10 to 25 from across Central Florida and will take place on the hospital’s campus at 6700 Lake Nona Boulevard in Orlando. Advance registration is required.

ECGs administered during the event are painless and noninvasive. According to Who We Play For, results will be reviewed by board-certified pediatric cardiologists and shared with participants within about 10 days.

Hospital leaders and representatives from Who We Play For will be available on site to speak with media and share stories of young athletes affected by sudden cardiac arrest, including cases where screenings or bystander intervention saved lives.

The screenings come amid growing concern over cardiac risks in youth sports. Who We Play For reports that sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death among student athletes, and that roughly 80% of those affected showed no prior symptoms.

The event also aligns with recent changes in Florida law. Last June, Florida became the first state in the nation to require ECG screenings for high school athletes. Beginning in the 2026–2027 school year, students must pass an ECG screening before participating in interscholastic athletics for the first time.

UCF Lake Nona Hospital, part of HCA Florida Healthcare, is a 64-bed acute care facility located in Orlando’s Medical City. The hospital offers emergency services, surgical care, cardiac services, oncology, imaging, and advanced neurological treatments, among other specialties.

Who We Play For will continue to advocate for broader access to heart screenings nationwide, working with hospitals, schools, and community partners to make testing more affordable and widely available.

Registration is required, so visit HERE to RSVP.