Free ECG heart screenings in Jacksonville on Feb. 14 target student-athletes ahead of Florida law
Free screening clinic scheduled at Nemours site in Jacksonville
Jacksonville families will have access to free heart screenings on Saturday, Feb. 14, as Florida prepares to implement a new requirement for certain high school athletes to complete a cardiac screening before participating in school sports.
The event is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Nemours Children’s Health, 870 Children’s Way, Jacksonville. The clinic will offer electrocardiograms (ECGs), a non-invasive test designed to identify electrical patterns that can indicate some underlying heart conditions associated with sudden cardiac arrest. Organizers reported that 270 student-athletes were registered ahead of the event, while also noting that walk-ins are permitted.
What the test is meant to detect
An ECG records the heart’s electrical activity through sensors placed on the skin. In youth sports settings, the test is used as a screening tool to flag potential abnormalities that may warrant follow-up evaluation by a specialist. The screening is designed for children and young adults ages 10 to 22 at the Jacksonville event.
For many inherited or structural heart conditions, symptoms may be absent or vague. In some cases involving sudden cardiac arrest, the first visible sign can be a collapse during exertion, making preventive screening and emergency readiness central to risk-reduction strategies.
How Florida’s new “Second Chance Act” fits in
Florida lawmakers approved the Second Chance Act, a measure tied to student-athlete cardiac safety that is set to take effect July 1, 2026. The law requires an ECG-based medical evaluation for students participating in Florida High School Athletic Association-sanctioned interscholastic athletics for the first time.
Local screening opportunities have been positioned as one way to expand access and reduce cost barriers for families. In Duval County, district leaders have already hosted school-based clinics during the 2025–26 academic year, describing them as part of preparations for the statewide requirement and a broader effort to improve early detection.
Who is encouraged to attend and what to bring
Who: Children and young adults ages 10–22; organizers are particularly encouraging eighth-grade student-athletes who plan to enter high school sports.
When: Saturday, Feb. 14, 8 a.m.–1 p.m.
Where: Nemours Children’s Health, 870 Children’s Way, Jacksonville.
Registration: Not required, but pre-registration is encouraged to reduce wait times.
Families are encouraged to arrive prepared with any required forms and be ready to receive follow-up guidance if results indicate a need for additional evaluation.
What happens after the screening
In Florida school and community screening programs, ECG results that raise concerns are commonly referred for review and, when appropriate, follow-up with pediatric cardiology. The intent is to separate normal athletic-pattern findings from signals that may require further testing before a student begins or continues sports participation.
As the July 1, 2026 effective date approaches, Saturday’s Jacksonville clinic reflects a broader shift toward standardized cardiac screening for first-time high school athletes, alongside ongoing emphasis on rapid response tools such as CPR training and access to automated external defibrillators at school athletic venues.