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Lisa’s family wish to thank, most sincerely, Mr
Nicholas Rheinberg, the Coroner for Cheshire, for his help and support which
has enabled this new Inquest to take place.
Grateful thanks also go to Dr Elijah Behr for his
care and dedication in screening us all, and for arranging for Lisa’s post
mortem tissue to be genetically tested.
We have heard evidence given today that screening
can save lives. Long QT Syndrome has affected five members of our family over
three generations. An ECG test could well have saved Lisa’s life.
All of the causes of sudden young cardiac death,
many of which are genetic, are treatable, once diagnosed, and most people are
able to live a relatively normal life.
There are at least 8 deaths a week to sudden young
cardiac death, the majority of which could be prevented if there was a
national screening programme for all teenagers at around the age of 14 years.
The government pays to vaccinate all children, and is now considering
providing hearing tests for all newly born babies. How many more young people
have to lose their lives to sudden young cardiac death before the government
will agree to finance the necessary ECG screening?
It’s impossible to explain the depth of pain and
devastation that these tragic deaths cause.
If anyone has had a sudden young cardiac death in
their family, or a young individual suffers from any of the symptoms which are
chest pain (exercise related); breathlessness; palpitations; blackouts and
dizziness please go to your GP and ask to be referred to a Specialist
Cardiologist. Too many people are misdiagnosed, being told that they have
epilepsy or stress, when in fact the problems may well be related to the
heart.
Eight years has been an exceptionally long time
for our family, but today’s Inquest has given us the answers that we so
desperately needed. We will now finally be able to bring about closure
following Lisa’s tragic death.
The charity Cardiac Risk in the Young has provided
us with valuable advice and support following Lisa’s death.
For more information on CRY please telephone 01737
363222 or visit the website at
www.c-r-y.org.uk
*END*
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