Florida Law Mandates Heart Screenings for High School Athletes, Uncovering Hidden Defects
A new Florida law requiring heart screenings for all rising ninth graders and new student athletes has led to the discovery of a serious, undetected heart condition in Cameron Crider, a sophomore at Calvary Christian High School in Clearwater. Crider, who plays football and basketball, had no prior symptoms despite intense athletic activity. The screening revealed he has an atrial septal defect (ASD), a congenital condition characterized by holes between the chambers of the heart. While the Florida law mandates screenings for certain athletes, Calvary Christian High School extended the requirement to all its student athletes. Crider is scheduled for surgery in October to address the defect, which will cause him to miss the upcoming basketball season, but he is expected to return to football in 2027. 
