North West Hampshire MP Sir George Young is backing a campaign to introduce automatic screening on the NHS for families at high risk of sudden cardiac death.

Up to eight young people (under the age of 35) die from the condition in the UK each week and Sir George is backing a private member’s bill in the House of Commons calling for the screening.

Chief executive and founder of the charity, Cardiac Risk in the Young, Alison Cox, said such heart problems could no longer be ignored by health professionals or the Government. “It can affect anyone, “ she said.

Speaking at the charity’s parliamentary reception at the House of Commons, Sir George said he was pleased to support the campaign. “Tragically, many MPs across Britain will now know of at least one local family who has been affected by this condition,” he said.

“It is vital that we do everything that we can to help raise awareness and support the introduction of new legislation to stop these terrible tragedies.”

Reports suggest that many young people at risk, including those with a family history of sudden death, with a close relative who has been diagnosed as at risk, or with ‘warning signs’ such as blackouts, are not being referred for further tests and are dismissed as being ‘too young’ to have heart problems.

The bill has received widespread backing from MPs across the country as well a number of sports personalities, such as Ian Botham, Jeremy Bates and Welsh rugby star, Rob Jones.