Cardiac Risk in the Young Awareness Week
By Ballyclare High School on 22 November, 2018
This is CRY – Cardiac Risk in the Young Awareness Week
- At least 12 young (aged 35 and under) people die suddenly from a previously undiagnosed heart condition.
- In the vast majority of cases, the first sign of a problem will be the last sign and DEATH.
- The only way to detect a potentially fatal cardiac abnormality is through proactive cardiac screening by specially trained cardiologists.
- CRY firmly believes that every young person should have the choice to be screened and currently offers a national screening service where anyone aged 14-35 can access free cardiac tests.
- There also appears to be a significant misunderstanding of the possible causes of sudden cardiac death with a staggering 40% of people (rising to 52% among 18-25 year olds) incorrectly believing that an unhealthy lifestyle could be a major cause of these tragedies.
Dr Cox adds; “Crucially what this survey has flagged up is there is still a need for organisations such a CRY to continue educating young people and their parents about any misconceptions about cardiac screening and essentially, who is at risk.
As we see all too often reported in the media – and as we hear from the hundreds of calls we receive every year from bereaved families after a tragedy, unable to comprehend how this could have happened to their young, vibrant and physically active family member – these young people are in the prime of their lives.
“And, whilst screening will not identify all those at risk, in Italy, where it is mandatory for all young people engaged, the incidence of YSCD has decreased by 90%. The facts speak for themselves and Internationally acclaimed data such as this can no longer be ignored.”
Below is a clip showing a Head girl discussing the issues in the current government policy of non testing.
