Campaigners say the condition claims the
lives of around eight apparently healthy people each week.
Footballer Marc Vivien-Foe collapsed and
died from the condition while playing for Cameroon last year.
Labour MP Dari Taylor is introducing a
private members Bill in the Commons to try to force the government to set up a
national screening programme.
The move is backed by the charity Cardiac
Risk in the Young.
It wants all young people with a family
history of sudden, unexplained deaths to be tested for heart defects.
"Sudden death in young people can no longer
be ignored by health professionals or the government," said Alison Cox, the
charity's chief executive.
"It could affect anyone, that's why we need
to improve access to screening so that people with cause for concern can take
steps to prevent it from striking them or their family." ..........
