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A Sheerwater man has filmed a DVD with actor and
Little Britain comedian David Walliams, which will help to raise awareness
about heart screening facilities.
Bradley Farrow, 21, suffers from Brugada syndrome,
which causes his heart to race and go into cardiac arrest.
He was diagnosed six years ago after collapsing
and has had an internal cardiac defibrillator (ICD) fitted.
The ICD works like a pacemaker if Bradley's heart
suddenly has an irregular heartbeat. If the heart goes into cardiac
arrest, the defibrillator sense out an electric shock, which brings it back
into a regular beat.
Bradley works with Cardiac Risk in the Young
(CRY), a charity that helps to educate people about the condition.
The charity has pushed for screening of the
condition in children to help identify any possible cardiac abnormalities
and help to reduce the number of sudden cardiac deaths.
Philips and CRY have come together and launched
The Heart Screening Awareness Partnership, which is designed to help
families understand the simple steps 9nvolved in the screening process.
Bradley met up with fellow campaigner Jack Manson
and they joined the star of Little Britain to make the DVD. Filming
took place at the Olympic sports centre in Wembley earlier this month and
both are pleased to be part of it.
The short film explains the screening process.
Bradley met David Wlliams last year when he joined CRY as a patron.
Bradley said: "We spent a morning filming but it
was god to meet David Walliams again.
"I have Brugada syndrome and it is a problem with
the electronics of my heart and it can just stop. Since being
diagnosed, I have had an internal cardiac defibrillator (ICD) fitted.
The condition does not really affect my everyday life."
Eddie, Bradley's mother, said: "Bradley was very
honoured to be asked to appear in the DVD and he is hoping that it will help
raise awareness among younger people.
"At least 10 young people under the age of 35 die
every week in the UK because of these conditions. Most of the
conditions can be seen on an ECG (electrocardiogram) and most cases are
treatable. The aim is to get as many young people screened as
possible, before tragedy strikes."
The DVD will be distributed to sports centres and
schools across the country.
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