Death by alarm clock

The shock of her early morning alarm going off killed a young nurse. 

Lisa Jane Browne, 27, was found dead in bed after her alarm went off at 6am.  Doctors believe the shock of the loud bell sent Lisa’s heart into an abnormal rhythm as a result of rare heart disorder, Long Q-T Syndrome. 

Lisa, who worked as a paediatric nurse at The Countess of Chester Hospital in Chester, had been suffering from palpitations, chest pains and light-headedness.  

She was diagnosed with stress and depression and prescribed anti-depressants.  But these were not suitable for someone with Long Q-T Syndrome, which had not been diagnosed at the time. 

An inquest into her death in January 1998 recorded an open verdict because the cause was “unascertainable.” 

But seven years later – after a campaign by Lisa’s mother Doreen Harley – research on Lisa and her family’s DNA by scientists in Sweden has finally proved she was suffering from the disorder. 

Doreen’s husband Terry, 60, also has it, as does their other daughter Rachel, 32 and her two sons, Jack, eight, and Adam five. 

Rachel now has a device implanted to kick-start her heart of problems arise.  The boys are waiting to see a specialist paediatric cardiologist. 

As a result of the findings, a new inquest may be held into Lisa’s death.  It would strengthen the case for all youngsters to be tested for the condition. 

Mrs Harley wants children to be screened and says that many lives could be saved if more youngsters were given pacemakers.  This monitors a patient’s heart, sending out minor electrical shocks if it is in danger of stopping. 

Mrs Harley works with the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), which recently tested 79 young people.  Seven of them suffered from cardiac problems. 

“It has been a long fight,” she said yesterday of Lisa’s diagnosis.  “We are still waiting to hear from the coroner but I'm sure it will be favourable and we will hopefully have a new cause of death. 

“I was quite convinced all along but without the test results we could not be 100 per cent certain.  This proves it conclusively.”  

Long Q-T Syndrome is the product of abnormal genes.  CRY provides medical information on the most common causes of unexpected sudden cardiac death – sometimes called SADS – in the under-35s. 

Campaigners argue that in the UK unexplained sudden death is frequently attributed to natural causes.  But it is estimated to claim up to eight young victims a week. 

Sporty youngsters are most at risk, with victims including Daniel Yorath, 15 – son of the former Leeds star Terry – who died playing football. 

Junior international footballer John Marshall, 16, fell victim to it, as did international bodybuilder Andy Hornby, 23. 

“Ultimately we would like to see all teenagers screened at the age of say 14 or 15.  That would save so many lives,” said Mrs Harley. 

“Ninety per cent of heart conditions that will lead to a cardiac arrest can be identified by a simple test.  The individual can be treated and go on to lead a normal life.” 

CRY, founded in 1995 by the former professional tennis player Alison Cox, has been carrying out electrocardiogram testing on youngsters in clinics across the country. 

Mrs Cox says teenagers’ symptoms are often dismissed. 

But if they had the same symptoms at 60 they would be put straight into cardiology, which is “ageism in reverse.” 

Find out more about Long QT Syndrome