ARLINGTON — Although heart disease is often perceived as an “adult disease,” it is also the leading cause of death in young athletes.

As part of its commitment to making the local schools and community safer, the Nick of Time Foundation is partnering with several area groups to host a free youth heart screening for all Arlington and Stanwood youth aged 14-24, on Wednesday, June 6, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Arlington High School.

According to the American Heart Association, one in every 350 young people has an undetected heart condition. The best way to detect these conditions is through a heart screening consisting of a comprehensive family health history survey and using an ECG and echocardiograms of the heart.

The test is painless and takes about 25 minutes. Current statistics show that sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death in exercising youth athletes, happening once every three days in the United States, often with no prior symptoms.

The first week in June begins National CPR and AED Awareness Week. In an effort to raise awareness and train the next generation of first responders, the Nick of Time Foundation, with support from Cascade Heart Rescue, will also train students in CPR and how to use an AED.

The Nick of Time Foundation and their partners, University of Washington Medicine and Seattle Children’s Hospital, provide free heart screenings at high schools throughout the Puget Sound. Combining strong local volunteer support and community collaboration from Arlington High School, the Arlington Fire Department, Cascade Valley Hospital and Providence Regional Medical Center, this unique program is designed to identify cardiovascular disease that may place students and athletes at risk of sudden death.

The mission of the Nick of Time Foundation is to educate the public about Sudden Cardiac Arrest in youth, the importance of having automated external defibrillators in all public places, including schools, and the need for all community members to be trained in CPR/AED use, and to facilitate free community youth heart screenings as a way to save lives.

More information is available online at www.nickoftimefoundation.org. Those interested can download the forms and email for an appointment time. To pre-register your child for a screening, email appt@nickoftimefoundation.org. Arlington High School is located at 18821 Crown Ridge Blvd.