Heart Hospital of Austin and Championship Hearts Foundation will offer free heart screenings for student athletes ages 14 to 18 on Saturday from 8 a.m to noon at the hospital at 3801 N. Lamar Blvd.

Active students who participate in athletics, cheerleading, marching band, drill team or any other strenuous sports typically get routine physical exams before participating in activities.

And Austin Heart is taking it a step further by offering the free screening.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the leading cause of sudden deaths in young athletes.

More than 10,000 students have been screened by Championship Hearts during the past 10 years, and about 1 percent of those teens were identified as needing further cardiac testing.

Students will receive an echocardiogram or ultrasound of the heart to detect HCM. This two- to fiveminute test is non-invasive and painless.

Students must have a signed parental waiver in order to receive the screening. Waivers will be available at the event or online at www.championshipheartsfoundation.org.

There is no charge for the screening, however, a $15 contribution is suggested. Registration will be in the hospital lobby.