No Sh#* Sherlock

Published in the Huffington Post

No sh*#, Sherlock. How fun is this phrase? C’mon, you’ve used at least once in your life. You know . . . the answer or outcome is so completely obvious that you sit in awe of someone doesn’t know it.

I remember it being popular in middle and junior high school. Now that I am a mother, I am reminded why – kids do the darndest things!

Courtesy of Reddit, here are few examples:

“I put a stethoscope in my dog’s ears while he was sleeping and screamed into it. I had to get stitches on my neck and the bite marks narrowly missed my eye.”

Really? You didn’t see that coming?

“I wanted to see if my bike would stop if I put a stick in the spokes. It did.”

No . . . a wheel would never stop if you jam a wedge in it . . . .

“I made a Lego “cake”, put it in the oven, and switched it on.”

Of course! Everyone knows that plastic is made for baking.

Are you chuckling, shaking your head in disbelief, or recalling your own shameful story? They are all amusing. No one got hurt. So despite the lack of sense or judgment, we can laugh it off and forgive. Kids will be kids.

However, this can’t be the case in medicine. We can’t miss the obvious because the consequences can be tragic.

I read a story this week about a sixteen-year old girl named Gynna McMillen. She died in her sleep. The autopsy, through genetic testing, revealed that she had a heart condition called Long QT Syndrome. This is an electrical defect. It causes an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) that can lead to cardiac arrest.

No one at the Lincoln Village Juvenile Treatment and Detention Center knew about her heart condition.

They should have.

You see, two years earlier, Gynna’s father died unexpectedly in his sleep. This is the no sh@#, Sherlock moment.

It is well documented that the sudden and unexpected death of a family member under the age of fifty raises a red flag. The Preparticipation Physical Evaluationasks this specific question: “Has any family member or relative died of heart problems or had an unexpected or unexplained sudden death before age 50 (including drowning, unexplained car accident, or sudden infant death syndrome)?”

This document, and question, were drafted by five leading medical associations – the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM), the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM), and the American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine (AOASM). The document is used in a majority of states across this country when evaluating student athletes, and the question is part of many wellness checks.

Why didn’t anyone check Gynna McMillen’s heart after her father died suddenly and unexpectedly in his sleep? It is likely that an electrocardiogram would have revealed her Long QT Syndrome.

Didn’t all of the family physicians and pediatricians know this warning sign? Isn’t it so completely obvious that had to be the next step?

In 2005, my three-month old son died in his sleep. The initial prognosis was sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). However, my pediatrician was wiser than most and told me to get my heart checked because “babies don’t just die.” As a result, I was diagnosed Long QT Syndrome, just like Gynna.

Apparently, my pediatrician knew the standard. She knew the warning sign. She may have even known about the research that shows up to 15% of all SIDS deaths is attributed to Long QT Syndrome.

Simon saved my life. I truly believe that.

Gynna’s dad tried to save her. Like Simon, he left a big clue. Unfortunately, Gynna needed Sherlock Holmes that day because her medical community failed her. Now, she is gone.

It shouldn’t be this way. We need to do better. We can’t afford to miss the obvious.

Protecting Hearts. Saving Lives.

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Protecting Hearts. Saving Lives.

Powered by Hopeworks Technology Solutions

Jake Berman

“I attended a heart screening at Colonial Middle School when I was ten. I was in the marching band and liked to hike and rock climb. I was diagnosed with Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome. After my procedure, I kept doing the same things.”

Whitney Jones

Whitney’s commitment to heart health advocacy began at 10 years old when she and her mother, Rayna, were diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome during a Simon’s Heart screening at Downingtown West High School. Despite the diagnosis, Whitney pursued her passion for cheerleading and continued to thrive in the sport through her college years at St. Joseph’s University. After graduating, Whitney joined Stryker Instruments as the Senior Specialist for Off-Site Meeting and Events, where she skillfully orchestrates events that promote health and medical innovation. Further extending her impact, Whitney is an active member of the Simon’s Heart Young Professionals Committee, while her mother Rayna contributes her expertise on the Board of Directors.

Katie Asper

“I attended a heart screening at Upper Dublin High School when I was ten. I played soccer. I was diagnosed with Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome and had an ablation to fix the problem. I attend Temple University.”

Matthew Green

“I attended a heart screening in Mason, Ohio, when I was ten. I participated in baseball, basketball, and diving. I was diagnosed with an atrial septal defect. I had surgery to repair the hole and started wearing a protective shirt during activity. I am graduating from Miami University.”

Valerie Krawitz

“I attended a heart screening at Colonial Middle School when I was ten. I played baseball, soccer, and track. I was diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome and an atrial septal defect. I had heart surgery to repair the hole and I take medicine for the Long QT. I can’t play competitive sports like I once did, but found other activities. Next year, I’m attending Penn State University.”

Drew Harrington

“I attended a heart screening at Radnor High School when I was ten. I played lacrosse, tennis, and basketball. I was diagnosed with Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome. I used to feel my heart beat really fast, but just assumed it was fine. Coincidentally, on Simon’s 7th birthday, I had a procedure called an ablation. Today, my heart is fine and I attend the University of Richmond.”

Alaysia Keeley

“I attended a heart screening at Norristown High School when I was ten. I played softball and enjoyed going to the mall with my friends. I was diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome. I had to stop playing sports and drinking soda. Now, I take medication and live a normal life.”

Kyle McCabe

“I attended a heart screening at Norristown High School when I was ten. I played baseball, basketball, and football. I was diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome. I stopped playing sports to protect my heart, but I still manage to have fun.”

Melissa Fair

“I attended a heart screening at Colonial Middle School when I was ten. I loved dancing and hanging out with my friends. I was diagnosed with Partial Anomolous Pulmonary Venous Return and Atrial Septal Defect. The doctor told me that my life would have been cut short if I hadn’t found out. I’m graduating from Penn State University this year.”

Zach Steffens

“I attended a heart screening at Stillman Elementary School in Tenafly, N.J., when I was fourteen years old. I love running, Tae Kwon Do, and Armenian cultural dancing. I was diagnosed with a rare congenital defect called ALCAPA (Anomalous Left Coronary Artery from the Pulmonary Artery). I had open-heart surgery and recovered well. One month later, I suffered a cardiac arrest and an automated external defibrillator (AED) saved my life. I now have an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and am healthier than ever. I will be attending The College of New Jersey and majoring in biomedical engineering.”

Annie FitzPatrick

“I went into sudden cardiac arrest at a local convenience store when I was 19 years old. My heart stopped and the only reason I am alive today is because an AED was readily available. I was diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome shortly after and was introduced to Darren and Phyllis with Simon’s Heart. I have been an active volunteer ever since. I went on to graduate Cum Laude from Drexel University with a double major in Business Analytics and Marketing and now work at a leading chemical company.”

Maeve Quinn

"I had a sudden cardiac arrest during softball tryouts at my high school. I was 15 years old. Thanks to the quick thinking of my coach and athletic trainer, they started doing CPR and using an AED immediately. This helped save my life. I had an implantable defibrillator surgically placed in case this happens again. I volunteer to educate people on the importance of screenings, learning CPR and the use of AEDs. Anyone can save a life like mine! I am planning on going to college for nursing."