Parents Assume Sports Physical is Enough

There are non-profits that offer free EKG tests, and the Peyton Walker Foundation frequently holds them at various schools in central Pennsylvania. These screening events depend on awareness, which is another challenge in combating cardiac arrest. 

Walker wants parents and athletes to know how critical it is to take advantage of these initiatives.


Jonathan “J.T.” Kuhn, 16, suffered a massive heart attack on Feb. 28, 2019, and died March 4, 2019. (Photo: Photo courtesty of PennLive and Shawnee Smith, contributor)

"The biggest challenge is that parents assume the sports physical is enough, and that if anything was wrong, it would be found," Walker said. "Unfortunately, kids are getting the same physicals that maybe I got 40 years ago.

"We would love to see EKGs become the standard of care that would be incorporated into well-child visits and sports physicals, but until then, we will continue to reach out and provide these in the community free of charge."

But on Feb. 28, seven days after his season ended, Kuhn's mother found him unresponsive. His heart had stopped working after a massive heart attack. After a four-day stay at Hershey Medical Center, Kuhn died March 4.

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