Cardiac Screening for Cootehill Celtic GAA Players this Saturday

4^th October 2011

Following the completion of a two year research programme in which nearly 300 GAA players were examined in an attempt to assess the effectiveness of various screening methods, the GAA now advise that the most effective way to identify risk is for players over the age of 14 to undergo cardiac screening on one occasion. It is also advised that this process be repeated before the age of 25.

To support players in their option of availing of cardiac screening Cootehill Celtic GAA in conjunction with Dr. Fiona O’ Hea propose to hold a session for player members details of which are outlined below.

The screening will consist of c ompletion of the GAA’s Cardiac Screening Questionnaire, a Physical Examination and an ECG.

Venue: Darley Health Centre

Date: Saturday October 8^th

Time: 8am- 12 Noon

The GAA in conjunction with the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) have implemented a programme whereby any doctors carrying out a cardiac screening programme for a GAA player will be able to send that ECG to the cardiac department in the Mater under Dr. Joseph Galvin to have a sports cardiology opinion on the ECG.

Cootehill Celtic GAA and Dr. Fiona O’Hea would like to stress that all players are assured of complete confidentiality and that their screening tests results are discussed only with themselves (or with parents in the case of juvenile players).

Juvenile players presenting for screening must have the consent form below signed.Results from screenings are not made available to the club.

A small charge of 2 euro per person will be charged and money collected will be used to defray the cost of any ECG’s which may require further investigation.

The Parental consent form can be downloaded here [MS Word Format]