Jessica Manca’s senior project at South Whidbey High School in Langley was a huge success — and may have saved lives.

Manca, 16, a junior, organized a Nick of Time Foundation heart screening event this past week at the high school.

In partnership with University of Washington Medical Center and Seattle Children’s Heart Center, the free cardiovascular screenings are designed to detect possible heart abnormalities of people ages 14 through 24.

During the session throughout most of the school day on Wednesday, March 2, more than

220 students, along with a few adults, were screened, Manca said. A dozen students where diagnosed with heart issues that required follow-up, and two were determined to have urgent needs and went to Children”s Hospital the next day, she said.

“It was really an emotional day,” Manca said. “Some of those with issues are my friends, and it’s really hard to grasp.

“Kids always say it can never happen to them,” she added. “It’s kind of overwhelming, but at least they caught it in time.”

The program promotes awareness of undiagnosed heart disease and alerts about the warning signs and prevention of Sudden Cardiac Arrest in children, athletes and young adults.

According to the American Heart Association, one child in 350 may have a heart condition that can lead to sudden death, and most are undiagnosed.

The foundation says that from 5,000 to 7,000 children and young adults each year die from SCA. It estimates that every three days, a student athlete in the United States collapses and dies from an undetected heart condition.

The foundation says standard physicals are inadequate in diagnosing hidden heart abnormalities, the leading cause of death in young athletes on the playing field. Early detection is crucial.

The South Whidbey screenings, which included an electrocardiogram (ECG) and-or ultrasound (ECHO), was supervised by a Seattle Seahawks cardiologist and 50 additional medical personnel.

Participants included Whidbey General Hospital’s Emergency Medical Services, local physicians and Island County Fire District 3 personnel. Blood-pressure tests also were administered.

Manca is the daughter of Robin and Jerry Koeller of Langley, and is herself a prominent athlete at the school.

“It turned out really good,” she said of the project. “I’m really proud and happy that I did it.”