Doctors say schedule physicals now to be ready for the school year
ORLANDO, Fla. – As families prepare for the upcoming school year, HCA Florida Healthcare physicians are encouraging parents of student athletes to schedule sports physicals early and learn about Florida’s Second Chance Act, landmark legislation that makes Florida the first state in the nation to require electrocardiogram (EKG) screening for high school athletes.
Beginning with the 2026–27 school year, students in grades 9 – 12 must receive at least one EKG before participating in interscholastic athletics. The law is named in honor of Chance Gainer, an 18-year-old Florida high school football player who died after collapsing during a game in 2024 because of an undiagnosed heart condition. The legislation aims to help prevent similar tragedies by identifying potentially life-threatening heart abnormalities.
“The sports physical is much more than a form to complete before the season begins,” said Dr. Christine Estrada, assistant chief medical officer at HCA Florida Poinciana Hospital. “Physical exams provide the opportunity to identify health concerns early, discuss injury prevention and make sure young athletes are physically prepared for the demands of their sport.”
Sports physicals, also known as pre-participation physical examinations, remain an essential part of preparing students for athletic participation. These exams evaluate overall health, previous injuries, joint function, vision and medical history while helping identify conditions that could affect a student’s ability to safely compete.
The addition of an EKG provides another important screening tool for heart health. Although rare, sudden cardiac arrest remains the leading medical cause of death among young athletes, affecting an estimated one in 40,000 to one in 80,000 athletes each year.
“An electrocardiogram gives us a window into the heart’s electrical activity,” said Dr. Estrada. “An EKG can identify electrical patterns suggestive of inherited or structural heart conditions that place some young athletes at increased risk for sudden cardiac arrest. When combined with a thorough medical history and physical examination, an EKG helps us determine which students may benefit from additional cardiac evaluation and further testing before they compete.”
Some Florida school districts have required EKG screening for their student athletes prior to the new law. Now, the Second Chance Act establishes the nation’s first statewide requirement for EKG screening of high school athletes, positioning Florida as a national leader in helping detect potentially life-threatening heart conditions before tragedy strikes.
HCA Florida Healthcare physicians encourage parents and student athletes to discuss any personal or family history of sudden cardiac death, unexplained fainting or seizures, chest pain during exercise, heart rhythm disorders or cardiomyopathy during their pre-participation physical or with their doctor.
Parents, coaches and athletes should seek prompt medical evaluation if a student experiences chest pain, unusual shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting, heart palpitations or extreme fatigue during exercise.
“Participation in school sports offers tremendous physical, emotional and social benefits,” said Dr. Estrada. “With comprehensive sports physicals, the addition of EKG screening and greater awareness of warning signs, we are helping families ensure students start the season healthy, confident and ready to compete safely.”
With the state’s largest cardiovascular network, HCA Florida Healthcare makes it easy to access a full spectrum of heart, lung and vascular treatments and services. Visit hcafloridahealthcare.com for more information. To learn more about sports physicals, visit HCA Florida Healthcare’s Healthy Living blog.