Every week in the UK, at least 12 apparently fit and healthy young people die suddenly and unexpectedly from an undiagnosed heart condition. Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) is the only charity in the UK offering proactive cardiac screenings to young people between the ages of 14-35. Of the 600 young sudden cardiac deaths that occur each year, 80% are in people with absolutely no prior symptoms. Identification prior to death is only possible with cardiac screening.
Since 1995, CRY has screened over 190,000 young people in order to identify any cardiac conditions that they may be carrying. In Italy where screening is mandatory for all young people engaged in organised sport, the incidence of young sudden cardiac death has been reduced by 89%.
CRY needs your support in order to raise awareness of young sudden cardiac death, in turn reducing the incidence of young sudden cardiac deaths.
Through CRY’s screening programme, we have identified that 1 in 300 people that CRY tests will have a potentially life threatening condition and 1 in 100 people that CRY tests are identified with a less serious cardiac condition, that could cause problems later in life.
After a young sudden cardiac death, CRY offers emotional and clinical support to affected families. CRY has supported over 3,000 bereaved families. Through CRY’s myheart network, CRY provides emotional support to over 450 young people diagnosed with cardiac conditions.
CRY also funds medical research into the diagnosis and treatment of conditions that can cause young sudden cardiac death. CRY has funded more than 25 Research Fellows who have worked to further enhance our understanding of young sudden cardiac death and improve our ability to diagnose and manage conditions.
For more information on the work of CRY please call 01737 363 222 or email CRY@C-R-Y.org.uk
