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Extend free cardiac screening to prevent young deaths – leading charity

Cardiac Risk in the Young | Cardiac Risk in the Young

3 min read Partner content

Ahead of todays debate, Cardiac Risk in the Young supports Mims Davies MP call for free cardiac screening for all children at 14 to bring down the numbers dying from Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome.

Dr Steve Cox, Director of Screening and Research at the charity, Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) responds; “CRY welcomes these comments from Mims Davies MP - as well as the ongoing support CRY receives from a significant number of cross party MPs.

“These 12 young sudden deaths a week have a horrendous impact on families and communities throughout the UK and much more needs to be done to prevent these tragedies. This is why CRY is pushing for the Government not to accept the most recent report from the National Screening Committee (July 2015) which grossly underestimates the incidence of young sudden cardiac death and states that no screening should be offered, even in sport. This position is at odds with both US and European policy which both recommend programmes to identify young people at risk. In Italy, where screening is mandatory for all young people involved in regular, organised sport, the mortality rate has decreased by a staggering 89%.”

“Essentially, we know that so much more could be achieved if it was widely acknowledged that 600 young sudden deaths every year, 12 a week, is not “sad” or “tiny” as quoted in the NSC’s latest report - it is catastrophic.

“Through the support of hundreds of bereaved families over the past two decades, CRY has developed a screening programme for any young person in the UK, aged 14 to 35. Within “3 clicks” on www.testmyheart.org they can book a free cardiac testing and consultation with a specialist doctor. This is a unique service which highlights what can be achieved through collaboration of the NHS, CRY as a charity and non-profit organisation, underpinned by families seeking to save the lives of others.

“In this, CRY's 20th anniversary year, we will test over 20,000 young people. 1 in 300 of these will be identified with a potentially life threatening condition and 1 in 100 with a condition that is not immediately life threatening but a condition that could cause problems in the 4th decade of life if not monitored and corrected if necessary.

Dr Cox adds; “Almost all elite athletes will now be routinely tested in the UK but we must now ensure screening is available to all young people. Each year the number of people CRY tests increase as demand increases. As well as providing screening services and support for affected families, CRY is also investing in the infrastructure and training of specialist doctors within the NHS so one day all young people will have the choice to be tested.

“With more support we will be able to expand these services and prevent so many more of the 12 young sudden cardiac deaths which rip families apart every week.”

Read the most recent article written by Cardiac Risk in the Young - Kevan Jones MP: Marking the 20th anniversary of Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY)

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