The UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute is proud to partner with the Peyton Walker Foundation to increase education about heart disease, the importance of heart screenings, and how to respond in an emergency situation.
In November 2013, college student Peyton Walker passed away at 19 years of age after experiencing sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Doctors determined her SCA was related to a heart condition she had known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).
An avid outdoors enthusiast, Peyton never let her HCM diagnosis limit her lifestyle – often participating in activities such as hiking, rock climbing, and snowboarding.
Friends describe Peyton, a native of Camp Hill, Pa., as “the epitome of liveliness and sassiness — welcoming and warm” and someone who “radiated joy and caused unstoppable laughter.”
After Peyton’s passing, it became the mission of her mother, Julie, to do what she could to help ensure that other families won’t need to know what it’s like to lose a child to SCA.
The Peyton Walker Foundation (PWF) provides free heart screenings for students and athletes, ranging in ages from 10 to 22, throughout Central Pa. These young people receive a check of their vital signs, get monitored for heart murmurs, and receive an electrocardiogram (EKG). If these tests reveal anything unusual, a free ultrasound of the heart, known as an echocardiogram, is offered.
While awaiting their test results, students also learn how to perform CPR and are trained in using an automated external defibrillator (AED).
At the end of these events, which typically last an hour, the students’ family members receive a copy of the EKG and a report summary during a consultation with a health care professional.
Since the formation of PWF, UPMC in Central Pa. has been a consistent force in helping Julie and her team fulfill their mission.
Members of the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute care team, including cardiologists, nurses, technicians, and other providers, have offered their expertise as part of PWF’s educational efforts. Michael Bosak, MD, serves on the Foundation’s board of directors and is also their medical director.
In recent years, the UPMC Pinnacle Foundation and PWF have partnered to donate AEDs to police departments, universities, sports stadiums, and other entities in Central Pa.
Often, there are no warning signs for SCA. The first symptom is often sudden death.
But some warning signs that can lead to SCA include:
The use of AEDs and CPR increase the chances of someone surviving an SCA event.
