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Today, Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) publishes the
results of a new survey which indicates that one year on since the
introduction of Chapter 8: Arrhythmias and Sudden Cardiac Death of the
National Service Framework for Coronary Heart Disease, a staggering 97% of all
Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) interviewed said they had failed to develop a
strategy for implementing any of the new Chapter’s specific guidelines for
children and young people.
Nearly 100%
of all PCTs interviewed said they were aware of Chapter 8 – which makes the
findings all the more damning.
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CRY was
instrumental along with other campaigners for securing the implementation
of Chapter 8 into the National Service Framework, which sets out
guidelines on how NHS services should identify people who are at increased
risk of sudden cardiac death and how to assess them and their families to
reduce their chances of dying from an arrhythmic condition. It also sets
out best practice for those diagnosed with a potentially life threatening
condition, and their families, to receive appropriate counselling, advice,
information and psychological support.
The survey of PCTs, GPs and the general public
reinforces concerns by CRY that no significant progress has been made to
address the 400 unexplained sudden cardiac deaths of young people every
year. 84% of GPs interviewed said they had experienced a young
sudden cardiac death in their practice which suggests that the real number
of young deaths is considerably higher than those officially logged. |
Speakers and CRY supporters at the Press Release. Left to right: CRY
Patron Jeremy Bates; Andy Scott; Caroline Gard; CRY Chief Executive Alison
Cox; Stephanie Hunter; CRY Chairman Professor Greg Whyte; Simon Halliday;
CRY Patron Mark Cox. |
Accurate statistics are not available. In the UK
unexplained sudden death is frequently recorded as death from natural causes.
Until the law is changed and coroners have to refer hearts on to specialists
the true figures will never be known.
CRY has been working tirelessly to raise awareness of
Cardiac Risk in the Young since its inception in May 1995. Founder and chief
executive Alison Cox is frustrated by the lack of progress since the new
Chapter 8 was introduced last year: “The research we had commissioned confirms
our worst fears – that very little has been done to address what we perceive
to be a growing problem in young people. Electrocardiogram (ECG) testing in
the young is vital if we are to reduce the number of unnecessary deaths – but
this needs to be followed up with a referral to a cardiac specialist.
Cox added: Although nearly 70% of GPs said they had a
12 Lead ECG machine in their practice, rather worryingly, nearly two thirds of
all GPs interviewed said they would not refer young people who have had an ECG
on to a Cardiologist for diagnosis. It is this level of expertise which should
be accessible to all and is vital if specific cardiac problems are to be
properly identified and young lives are to be saved.”
CRY’s robust campaign to raise awareness of young
sudden cardiac death is proving effective – 65% of the general public are
aware that the condition is something which can affect people aged 35 and
under – significantly, nearly 30% knew of a young person who had died from an
unexplained or sudden cardiac death.
Both samples
of PCTs and GPs, 78% and 82% respectively, said that where a young member of a
family (35 and under) dies as a result of an unexplained or sudden cardiac
death, they would approve or refer other members of that family to be seen at
an Inherited Cardiovascular Disease Clinic.
Later on
today, CRY will be calling on the 86 strong members of the
All
Party Parliamentary Group for Cardiac Risk in the Young, to put pressure on
the Government and influence change through ensuring rapid development of the
Chapter 8 strategy. This means taking action now if countless young lives are
going to be saved.
-Ends-
For further
information, please contact Charmaine Colvin or Jonathan Wagstaff at redheadPR
on Tel: 0870 240 5536 or email
jonathan@redheadpr.co.uk or
charmaine@redheadpr.co.uk
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