A mother whose teenage son died of sudden cardiac death syndrome has urged young adults to make sure they get their heart checked. 

Caroline Gard is a divisional representative for national charity CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) which last year started a new heart-screening clinic at Colchester General Hospital. 

The first clinic of 2005 will be there on Saturday, January 22, and is open to anyone aged 14 to 35.  The aim is to detect previously undiagnosed conditions. 

Mrs Gard, 51, of Glebe Way, Frinton, whose son Andy, 17, died in 1997, said CRY believed many young deaths could be avoided if basic cardiac screening was more widely available. 

She said: “People who have heard of sudden cardiac death often associate it with physical exertion, particularly those who play sport at a high level, such as Daniel Yorath who died in 1992 at the age of 15, and Mark-Vivien Foe, the former Manchester City footballer, who died at 28. 

“Some people may experience palpitations, fainting or breathlessness but many who die have no symptoms at all, including my own son, which is why I want all people aged between 14 and 35 to make a New Year’s resolution to have their heart checked. 

“We’ve held three clinics at Colchester General Hospital so far and have seen about 50 people. 

“Of those, about eight or nine were referred for further tests but fortunately no serious problems have been discovered.  Their abnormal ECG test results can be attributed to a variety of factors, such as the stress of impending exams.” 

Mrs Gard, who teaches students with learning difficulties at Colchester Institute, said that, in cases of serious abnormalities, it might be possible to take steps, such as surgery or the fitting of a specialised pacemaker. 

Screening involves having an ECG (electrocardiogram) which takes only 10 minutes, at a subsidised cost of £35. 

Anyone interested should phone CRY on 01255 673598 and leave a message.