Philips joins forces with TOPS to screen student athletes for potentially life-threatening cardiac conditions
Sports screening physicals with cardiac testing may help uncover cardiac conditions that are major causes of sudden cardiac arrest in high school and college athletes

Phoenix, AZ, USA - Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) today announced it is working with Team of Physicians for Students (TOPS) to launch the Save an Athlete program, which will educate student athletes, their families, doctors, athletic directors and coaches about preventing sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) through early cardiac testing. The Save an Athlete program will raise awareness about SCA and advocate for sports screening physicals with testing to uncover cardiac conditions that may lead to SCA, such as Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM).

Congenital cardiovascular conditions, such as HCM, are major causes of SCA in high school and college athletes. According to the Cleveland Clinic, HCM affects as many as 1.5 million Americans, making it the most common cause of sudden cardiac arrest in people under age 30. Unfortunately, most athletes and their family members, who often also have this genetic disorder, don't know they may be at risk for sudden cardiac arrest until it strikes.

"If one student athlete dies, it is one too many, but sudden cardiac arrests can be prevented through early diagnosis and treatment," said Paul Steingard, D.O., and founder of TOPS. "The good news is that sports screening physicals with cardiac testing can significantly reduce the risk of sudden cardiac arrest. TOPS is proud and excited to work with Philips to raise awareness about this important issue."

In an effort to educate student athletes, their parents, healthcare providers and athletic officials about the importance of cardiac testing in conjunction with a sports screening physical, Philips has launched a new Web site, www.saveanathlete.org. The Web site provides a forum for parents to obtain more information about the need for sports screening physicals with cardiac testing; learn how vital family health history can be in uncovering possible heart conditions; view a checklist to ensure student athletes remain safe and healthy; and discover ways to initiate a screening event in their community.

One mother who understands the importance of sports screening physicals with cardiac testing for student athletes is Cindy McWhorter. Two years ago, her son Doug underwent a sports screening physical with cardiac testing offered by TOPS and it potentially saved his life. Unlike most sports screening physicals, this one featured cardiac testing which looked at family history and used electrocardiograms (ECGs) and echocardiography (echo) exams. When his ECG revealed a heart abnormality, an echo exam helped physicians diagnose HCM - a potentially fatal thickening of heart muscles impairing blood flow and known for causing sudden cardiac arrest.

"By including cardiac testing, we may help keep young athletes alive and healthy by uncovering conditions that could lead to sudden cardiac arrest," said William Rappoport, M.D., F.A.C.C., Arizona Heart Institute. "The Save an Athlete program provides parents, coaches and physicians with valuable resources that could help prevent a tragedy."

Identifying the fragile state of his heart helped Doug McWhorter receive the proper treatment that is allowing him to once again play sports. Subsequent testing also revealed that Doug's father and brother both had HCM. Luckily for his family, cardiac testing as part of a sports screening physical caught this genetic condition before a trip to the emergency room was required.

"Philips has been a proud supporter of the TOPS program for the past five years in their efforts to help reduce the risk of sudden cardiac arrest in student athletes," said Deborah DiSanzo, senior vice president and general manager of Cardiac Systems, for Philips Medical Systems. "We hope our contributions with ECG and echo systems at these events not only helps save athletes lives, but shines a light on an important health issue that can be diagnosed and treated before it is too late."

TOPS will be holding the nation's largest screening event of its kind in Phoenix on Saturday, April 22. Approximately 2,500 student athletes are expected to receive a free sports screening physical with cardiac testing using Philips PageWriter ECG systems. If abnormalities are detected, patients may be referred for an echocardiography exam using a Philips iE33 ultrasound system to obtain more diagnostic information. Philips HeartStart defibrillators also will be demonstrated to educate attendees about the use of an automated external defibrillator in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest on the playing field.

About TOPS (Team of Physicians for Students)
Based in Phoenix, Arizona, TOPS works to promote the well being of high school and college student athletes by providing sports screening physicals with cardiac testing, free of charge, to all students participating in interscholastic athletics or associated activities. Dr. Paul Steingard, Dr. William Rappoport and a group of dedicated volunteers recognize that including cardiac testing with a sports screening physical could help identify students at risk for sudden cardiac arrest. Since 2002, TOPS has provided sports screening physicals with cardiac testing to approximatley 7,500 Phoenix-area student athletes in over 80 local high schools.

About Royal Philips Electronics
Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is one of the world's biggest electronics companies and Europe's largest, with sales of $37.7 billion (EUR 30.4 billion) in 2005. With activities in the three interlocking domains of healthcare, lifestyle and technology and 161,498 employees in more than 60 countries, it has market leadership positions in medical diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring, color television sets, electric shavers, lighting and silicon system solutions. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.

Media inquiries, please contact:

Steve Kelly
Philips Medical Systems
425.487.7479

Jan Jacobson, JB Communications
TOPS
602.317.1333