This Valentines Day, a leading heart charity highlights the tragic legacy of young sudden cardiac death for those left behind.  This month (February 2009), the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) is launching an emotive campaign across the Midlands to highlight the devastating impact of sudden death in young people (i.e. aged 35 and under.)

The results of a new survey, commission by CRY, show that awareness of sudden cardiac death - that now claims the lives of 12 young people every week remains low, with less than half (45%) of people questioned saying they knew about the scale of deaths in the UK. 

And, people living in the Midlands are the least likely to be aware that a simple test known as an ECG can detect potentially fatal heart conditions in young people.  Only 58% (compared to 71% in Scotland) knew about the availability of this type of screening. 

Founder and Chief Executive of CRY, Alison Cox MBE, says 'It would appear that the high profile death of Motherwell player Phil O'Donnell has lead to a heightened awareness of these conditions in Scotland and that the quick response of the Scottish Government to introduce cardiac screening has improved the public's understanding of what can be done to identify those who are at risk.  However, there are still too many people who are unaware of these conditions, and even when people are aware of the risks they are not being tested.'  Spearheaded by the charity's consultant cardiologist, Dr Sanjay Sharma (King's College Hospital, London) the timely campaign will focus on the thought-provoking issue of 'Life Years Lost' a theme that Dr Sharma feels is vital to communicate if the medical community, MP's, young people and the general public are to understand the full scale of this tragic condition that continues to strike 'apparently fit and healthy people' without warning.  Dr Sharma says: "We currently estimate that well over 500 young people die suddenly every year in the UK from sudden cardiac death and that figure could be just the tip of the iceberg.  Many of these young people are in their teens and early-twenties at the prime of their lives.  Looking at predicted life-expectancies for the 21sat century, we can assume that the majority of these young victims are being robbed of 50 to 60 years of their lives. 

Poignantly, their families are being robbed of their 'future' and watching them 'grow up and grow old.'  The tragedy is that these deaths are not 'freak' accidents.  They are preventable deaths that could have been avoided if young people, especially those involved in regular sport, were being offered screening and if generally we were all more aware abut the importance of understanding the history of our family's health.'  He adds: 'Most conditions that cause sudden cardiac death in the young are rare when compared with coronary heart disease but the impact of potential life years lost due to these deaths is striking.'  Sudden Death Syndrome strikes down young people when they are seemingly at the peak of fitness, many of whom were involved in sport.  Sport does not cause this problem - but it can exacerbate an existing undiagnosed condition and the high risk group is the young. 

It is now widely accepted that screening saves lives.  CRY is committed to encouraging greater access to its cardiac testing for all groups and individuals (but especially those involved in sport at 'grass roots level) to detect conditions that might otherwise go undiagnosed. 

Alison Cox MBE, adds: 'Valentine's Day is traditionally a time for being with your 'beloved' - but for the thousands of families who have been affected by young sudden cardiac death, it all too often becomes a time for thinking about the future that has been so cruelly taken away when you remember the loved one that you have lost.  'But as well as focusing on 'life years lost' we must also use the opportunity to look ahead to our vision of promoting awareness among health professionals and parents and increasing access to screening in this region and across the UK'.  CRY works and supports hundreds of families across the UK who have been devastated by this tragic condition.  Journalists are invited to contact the CRY press office to find out if a family within your region has been affected and is willing to share their experience to help raise awareness of the charity and of the importance of screening. 

The Cardiac Risk in the Young All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) now has 113 members, including the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, The R. Hon Andy Burnham.  Please contact the CRY press office to find out whether your local MP is a member of this group and if they are actively involved in supporting the charity in your area.