Community Highlights: Meet Eric Schroeder of MyHeartCheck

Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Schroeder.

Eric, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
We have all heard stories about youth that are seemingly in excellent health, collapsing suddenly, only to later learn it was caused by an unknown heart condition. While heart issues for adolescents might not sound like a big issue, facts are 1 in 100 kids are born with some sort of heart abnormality. Unfortunately, detection of such issues requires specific testing and can be expensive. Couple that with the fact most kids (and their parents) believe they are invincible health-wise, this issue becomes a blind spot for many parents. As many as 7,000 kids and their families learn about this blind spot the hard way on an annual basis. Simply put, early detection of heart issues in young people is personal for many of us.

MyHeartCheck is the national leader in cardiac testing of youth. The MyHeartCheck includes an EKG, an Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) and a Pediatric Cardiologist review of each exam. The Pediatric Cardiologist’s involvement is a game changer because an EKG, by itself, is not sufficient in diagnosing most heart problems, especially in adolescents.

These tests when done at the hospital or specialist’s office cost in excess of $1500. Through relationships with our funding partners, the MyHeartCheck is provided for less than 10% of the normal cost. Additional financial assistance is also available through grants for families with limited financial means.

To date, over 12,000 children have been impacted as a result of investments from both MyHeartCheck and our partners. We continue to build on our legacy of caring with increased support we receive from many school districts, youth organizations and non-profit foundations. We are pleased to say our brand is recognized not only for providing high-quality heart screenings but also for offering compassion to those in need.

We look forward to continuing helping communities protect kids from an unthinkable tragedy as we move forward in the coming years are welcome all inquiries from organizations interested in helping protect kids from the unthinkable.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Our first struggle was making the testing affordable for all. Through help from partners, we were able to offer discounts to families with limited financial means. Then came COVID and how that impacted our business since most of our work was done in schools. We were able to overcome that hurdle by moving our testing into safe facilities like hospitals and physician offices. Without their help, we might have not survived.

As you know, we’re big fans of MyHeartCheck. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Many screening programs are born out of the loss of a child and operate with the assistance of volunteers and adult cardiologists or family physicians. When we set out to build the best heart screening organization in the country, we knew we needed to solicit the advice from the leading experts in the healthcare sector. We looked at what tests to offer, the thoroughness of each exam, age groups, and athletes versus non-athletes.

When MyHeartCheck set out to build the best heart screening organization in the country, we knew we needed to solicit the advice from the leading experts in the healthcare sector. We looked at what tests to offer, the thoroughness of each exam, age groups, and athletes versus non-athletes. In early-stage development, the company founder worked with Mayo Clinic and John’s Hopkins Health to develop a screening program that was based on sound medical protocols but would still be cost-effective. We built the MyHeartCheck program from the ground up and have impacted over 12,000 kids through effective heart screenings.

What makes you happy?
We love working with kids because they seem to enjoy learning about their heart health. Impacting how kids look at their personal health is the most satisfying part of what we do. We also love the interaction and learning something from them as well.

Pricing:

• Cost $129

Contact Info:

• Email: info@myheartcheck.org
• Website: www.myheartcheck.org
• Instagram: @MyHeartCheck
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyHeartCheck
• Twitter: @MyHeartCheck