Cardiac Screening
What do I need to know?
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What is SADS?
Sudden Adult Death Syndrome, or SADS, is a sudden unexpected death of adolescents and adults caused by a cardiac arrest.
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Up to 100 young people lose their lives to Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS) every year in Ireland. That’s around two people under 35 years of age whose lives are cut short, every single week.
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In many cases, SADS is caused by inherited genetic abnormalities that affect the heart's electrical system. In some cases, those affected have no previous symptoms.
Why screening?
We know from research that cardiac screening can greatly reduce the number of deaths due to SADS, and we believe all athletes should have the right to be screened.
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In Italy, cardiac screening is mandatory for individuals participating in competitive sports. This requirement aims to identify potential cardiovascular diseases that could lead to sudden death during athletic activity.
The mandatory screening, in place for over 25 years, has significantly reduced sudden cardiac death incidents among athletes by up to 89%.
Getting screened
Child cardiac screening isn’t widespread in Ireland yet, but it’s our mission to make it so.
We have compiled a list of options that we know about, but as awareness increases, new options may become available.
If you have found another way to get you or your child screened that we haven’t listed below, please let us know, so we can share it with other parents or young athletes.
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Ways to Get Screened
Disclaimer
Please note: We do not provide medical or insurance advice, the information below is our best attempt at giving you suggestions on how to get you or your child screened yourself. Approx 4 -6% of people availing of cardiac screening will be recommended follow up cardiac
investigations. No screening programme is 100% accurate.
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Dillon Quirke Foundation National Screening Programme
We offer screening days to young atheltes via sports clubs for free across the country.
However, our waiting list has now reached 2026.
We are on a mission to increase awareness, and thankfully more and more parents and young athletes are getting proactive about heart health.
With that, demand for screening continues to grow and we are reliant on donations, fundraising and sponsorship to meet demand.
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Club or School Group Screening
Ask your club or school to organise a group screening directly with a medical provider.
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Our provider Advanced Medical Services (AMS) have been to many clubs and schools already, and there are other established providers. The cost varies from about €70 to €100 per child, depending on numbers and what they offer.
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Things to look out for when choosing a provider:
Make sure that the results of the ECG are sent to a cardiologist experienced in reviewing results of children aged 12+ and athletes.
Also, make sure to ask what happens next if an issue is identified - there should be a pathway to referral for additional cardiology testing.
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Does my health insurance cover screening?
This is our current understanding of what is available from the main health insurance providers, but please check your own policy for accuracy:
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Laya: Children over 12 are fully covered for cardiac screening every 2 years. You can book into one of their clinics on their App and do not need a referral letter for your GP.
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VHI: They do not appear to cover cardiac screening for children in any policy (let us know if your policy does cover it!).
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Level Health (Aviva): Almost all policies pay €100 towards the cost of cardiac screening for your child. It looks like you’ll need to get a GP referral letter and organise an appointment with a screening clinic yourself.
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Irish Life: Some higher-level policies appear to cover screening; check your policy for more information.
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If you know of any further information, please let us know so we can update and share with other parents & athletes.
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Going Private
You will need a GP referral letter for any private medical screening clinic in Ireland.
Our screening provider, Advanced Medical Services (AMS) have a diagnostic center in Cork and do private cardiac screening for children and adults with a GP referral.
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We have heard of very expensive rates from private hospitals around Ireland and we have found AMS's rates to be resonable.
If you organise a private screening, please let us know where and the cost so we can share this information with others.
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Public Health
To be considered for cardiac screening through public health, you will need a GP referral to a cardiologist.
To the best of our present knowledge, a GP is unlikely to refer you/your child unless there is a concern due to medical family history or you/they have indicative symptoms of cardiac issues.
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Learn More
Here are links to other resources and information about SADS and cardiac screening.
Please contact your GP if you have any concerns around your health or your children's health.
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Irish Heart Foundation SADS Support Group Leaflet (PDF download)
Mythbusting
Let's dispel some common misconceptions about SADS and Cardiac Screening together!
Myth: “My child is young, fit, and healthy so they don’t need a screening.”
Truth: Many cardiac conditions that lead to sudden cardiac arrest have no symptoms and are only detectable through screening. Being athletic or healthy doesn't rule out heart abnormalities.
Myth: “We’d know if something was wrong.”
Truth: Most dangerous cardiac conditions in young people show no symptoms until a serious event occurs. Screening can catch what a regular physical might miss.
Myth: “Our family has no history of heart disease, so we’re not at risk.”
Truth: About 1 in 300 young people have an undiagnosed heart condition. Some heart problems
are genetic but may appear for the first time in a child, even without family history.
Myth: “Cardiac screening is invasive and scary for kids.”
Truth: We have screened almost 15,000 kids and teens through our programme. It’s quick, safe, and non-invasive. Our screenings normally take just 20 minutes and are completely pain-free.
​Myth: “If there’s a problem, we're better off not knowing.”