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An information day was held in Prospect Court in
Omagh at the weekend to raise awareness of Cardiac Risk in the Young.
Each week at least eight
apparently fit and healthy young people die of undiagnosed heart conditions.
Tyrone All-Ireland football champion Cormac McAnallen was a high-profile
victim of such an undiagnosed heart condition. Yet experts believe that most
of these deaths are due to Sudden Death Syndrome. Until the law is changed
and coroners have to refer hearts on to specialists we will not know the true
figures.
To reduce the risk of young
deaths, a screening programme, ideally in schools so everybody can benefit,
should be introduced. In May, the Postcard Campaign was launched in Belfast
to heighten awareness and try and get our MPs to lobby the government to set
up a screening programme. This campaign is going well but is urging for
support from schools.
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