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.
