The 4th September marks the opening of an exhibition which aims to raise awareness of cardiac risk in the young.  It includes artwork from professional artists as well as a number of talented A-level students.  Sara Nelson and Mauricio Lomba tell us all about it.

In 2005 Chapter 8 on arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death was added to the National Service Framework (NSF) for Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) (Department of Health (DH), 2000).  This chapter sets out a  number of quality requirements to ensure that best practice in arrhythmia care is provided.  Through a wide range of initiatives, cardiac  networks throughout the country have been instrumental in supporting organisations implement the framework and improve cardiac services.  In one such initiative, the South East London Cardiac Network (SELCN) Arrhythmia Workstream has obtained funding from the British Heart Foundation for four arrhythmia care co-ordinators to work in the four district general hospitals of the South East London sector (University Hospital Lewisham, Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich and Princess Royal University Hospital, Bromley). 

Key to delivering Chapter 8 of the NSF for CHD on the ground, the care co-ordinators are working to develop improved diagnostic, referral and treatments pathways for patients with arrhythmias.  In parallel, the Arrhythmia Workstream has collaborated with cardiac staff throughout the sector to develop and implement a new 'traffic light' referral guideline for arrhythmias (SELCN, 2007), as well as supporting a clinic for inherited cardiac diseases at University Hospital Lewisham.  In a bid to further develop awareness about sudden cardiac death, an opportunity arose for the SELCN to delve into the domain of the arts when it won an award from the Wellcome Trust to develop a hybrid arts and bio-medicine project - the Silent at Heart project was born. 

Sudden Cardiac death

Sudden cardiac death syndrome in an umbrella terms used for the many different causes of cardiac arrest in young people.  This silent killer condition have had to abandon their sports careers.  There are approximately 100,000 sudden cardiac deaths in the Uk each year (DH, 2005).  Of these it is estimated that 550 of these cases affect people aged under 35 years, which equates to around eight deaths a week (Cardiac Risk in the Young, 2007).  However, awareness of the condition as well as its risk factors, symptoms, causes, diagnosis and treatment is low among young people and their families, as well as among primary care professionals. 

Awareness

Through this award the SELCN has tried to address some of this knowledge gap and has successfully developed the 'Silent at Heart' Project, an innovative initiative which uses art to raise awareness of sudden cardiac death in the young. 

Silent at Heart: development

The Silent at Heart project focuses on highlighting the symptoms and risk factors associated with the rare conditions leading to sudden cardiac death in young people.  To develop the project the SELCN has worked with students from Christ The King Sixth Form College in Lewisham to capture the personal experiences of young people being screened for hidden cardiac conditions. 

The project has also been developed in partnership with Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), a charity which aims to raise awareness of sudden cardiac death and offers counselling and support to family members affected by it.  In addition, Dr Sanjay Sharma, Consultant Cardiologist at Kings College and Lewisham Hospitals and one of the main specialists in the field, has acted as Clinical Leads for the project.

The project's objective was to produce awareness-raising materials such as art works, short films, a website, an interactive game and a CD-ROM.  These materials are aimed at young people and primary care professionals, and highlight the fact that those with a family history of sudden cardiac death at a young age (under 35 years) or those suffering specific symptoms (such as exercise-related chest pain, severe breathlessness, palpitations, prolonged dizziness, fainting/blackouts) should be encouraged to seek further assessment. 

There have been debates for some time around the national screening of populations for inherited cardiac conditions and the current conclusion from the National Screening Committee (2006) is that there is not enough evidence to suggest that the diversion of funds would be cost-effective.  However, it is hoped that the Silent at Heart project will help raise awareness of these conditions so individuals can question and assess whether they may be at risk.  It is also hoped that this increased awareness will encourage primary care professionals to be more attentive to the signs, which could indicate hidden cardiac conditions. 

The project's outcomes will be exhibited at the Air Gallery, 32 Dover Street, London W1SW 4NE, 4th-15th September 2007, 10am - 6pm. 

Further information

Silent at Heart project

www.silentatheart.org.uk

South East London Cardiac Network

www.selcardiacnetwork.nhs.uk

Cardiac Risk in the Young

www.c-r-y.org.uk

Christ the Sixth Form College

www.ctksfs.ac.uk