AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) – Texas Tech Physicians Pediatrics is hosting a low-cost sports physical event for students in grades 6–12 from 9 a.m. to noon on June 7.
“Sports physicals are not just a formality. They help identify any underlying health conditions that could pose risks during physical activity. They’re crucial for ensuring a child is physically ready to participate safely in activities like sports and marching band. These evaluations also give health care providers a chance to address growth, development and injury prevention, said Rakesh Donthula, M.D., a Texas Tech Physicians pediatric cardiologist.
“You’ve likely seen more news stories recently about young athletes collapsing during games. Many times, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is mentioned. It’s a genetic condition where the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick, making it harder for the heart to pump blood effectively. Conditions like HCM, which is a leading cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes, can be detected through a good exam and family history. Often, it goes undiagnosed because children may not show obvious symptoms — or symptoms like shortness of breath, fainting or chest pain might be mistaken for something less serious,” Donthula said.
Abnormal heart rhythms or congenital heart defects may also be flagged during a physical.
Donthula recommends parents discuss family history of cardiac events, fainting spells or unexplained deaths with the provider during the visit.
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