After Ken’s passing in 2002 from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the people who loved him turned their loss into a lasting way to help students and families.
Ken Carlson Jr. was a beloved husband, son, brother, and friend. After his passing in 2002 from HCM, his friends and family decided to begin a foundation in his memory, and the Ken Carlson Jr. Memorial Foundation was born.
The Foundation holds annual events to raise funds to provide scholarships for post-secondary education and to support medical research, awareness, and early detection of cardiomyopathy.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a genetic heart condition characterized by abnormal thickening of the heart muscle, which can interfere with the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively. This condition affects people of all ages and is one of the leading causes of sudden cardiac death in young people.
Symptoms of HCM can vary widely from person to person and can include shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, fainting, and palpitations. However, some people with HCM may not have any symptoms at all, so knowing your family heart history and recognizing symptoms are important for early diagnosis and treatment.
Notice if you feel winded during light daily tasks like making a bed or walking.
Pay attention to pain or pressure during physical exertion.
Never ignore lightheadedness, rapid heartbeats, or fainting spells, which require urgent medical evaluation.
Recognize unusual tiredness during normal activities
HCM runs in families and can pass silently across generations.
Ask family members about unexplained heart trouble, murmurs, or sudden cardiac death.
Read guidance provided by the American Heart Association.
Diagnosing HCM usually starts with a medical history, physical exam, and an echocardiogram, sometimes paired with an EKG, cardiac MRI, or genetic testing. There’s no cure, but medications are available to help manage symptoms such as chest pain and shortness of breath, and to help control abnormal heart rhythms; in some cases, surgery or an implanted device may be recommended. With proper medical management, many people with HCM live long, healthy lives.
The Gap We’re Closing
A comprehensive cardiac screening an EKG paired with an echocardiogram can catch warning signs before they become emergencies, but most young athletes are only cleared to play with a history-and-physical exam. Insurance typically won’t cover it unless a child already has symptoms, and for HCM, the first symptom is sometimes sudden cardiac arrest. Screening can run from several hundred to well over a thousand dollars out of reach for many families. The Ken Carlson, Jr. Memorial Foundation funds community screening days, delivered by our partner Heartfelt, to close that gap: offering both an EKG and an echocardiogram, read by a cardiologist, at no cost to the family.
This information is provided for general education only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Please consult a physician regarding diagnosis or treatment.”
Diagnosing HCM usually starts with a medical history, physical exam, and an echocardiogram, sometimes paired with an EKG, cardiac MRI, or genetic testing. There’s no cure, but medications are available to help manage symptoms such as chest pain and shortness of breath, and to help control abnormal heart rhythms; in some cases, surgery or an implanted device may be recommended. With proper medical management, many people with HCM live long, healthy lives.
The Gap We’re Closing
A comprehensive cardiac screening — an EKG paired with an echocardiogram — can catch warning signs before they become emergencies, but most young athletes are only cleared to play with a history-and-physical exam. Insurance typically won’t cover it unless a child already has symptoms, and for HCM, the first symptom is sometimes sudden cardiac arrest. Screening can run from several hundred to well over a thousand dollars — out of reach for many families. The Ken Carlson, Jr. Memorial Foundation funds community screening days, delivered by our partner Heartfelt, to close that gap: offering both an EKG and an echocardiogram, read by a cardiologist, at no cost to the family.
This information is provided for general education only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Please consult a physician regarding diagnosis or treatment.
YEARS OF IMPACT
INVESTED IN SCHOLARSHIPS AND RESEARCH
STUDENTS AND FAMILIES SUPPORTED
students and their families screened at no cost
(2023 & 2024 total – Heartfelt to provide update for years of sponsorship soon)
previously undetected cardiac conditions identified
(2023 & 2024 total – Heartfelt to provide update for years of sponsorship soon)
students and their families screened at no cost
Every dollar raised funds scholarships for students and research into cardiomyopathy detection and treatment.
