Broward relaunches free heart screening initiative with new partner
Residents in Broward County will once again have access to free preventive heart screenings following the relaunch of the county’s heart health initiative, now renamed the Broward County/Florida Panthers Preventive Heart Program.
The updated program was announced during a November 18, 2025, meeting of the Broward County Commission, where Mayor Mark D. Bogen outlined plans to bring back the initiative with a new provider and application process. The effort is a partnership between Broward County and the Florida Panthers Foundation, with medical screenings to be carried out by the Cleveland Clinic.
The program, now open to residents, is funded with more than $3 million remaining from the county’s original $10 million investment, along with an additional $1 million contribution from the Florida Panthers Foundation. Officials say the initiative is intended to help residents detect potential heart problems before they become life-threatening.
The screening, known as the “Take Heart Test,” involves a CT scan of the heart combined with an iodine-based contrast injection that allows doctors to identify blockages in coronary arteries that could lead to heart attacks. For participants allergic to iodine, an alternative CT calcium score test will be available, although officials note it may only detect certain types of plaque buildup.
County leaders say preventive care is especially important for adults aged 45 and older, who are encouraged to take advantage of the screening and discuss results with their primary care physicians to evaluate their risk of heart disease and consider treatment or lifestyle changes if necessary.
Eligibility for the free screening will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Under previous versions of the program, participants were typically between ages 45 and 70 and had at least one risk factor, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, a history of smoking, or a family history of heart disease.
Residents interested in participating can apply through the program’s online form or contact the Broward County mayor’s office for additional information by calling 954-357-7002 or emailing mbogen@broward.org.
