Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) - campaigning to prevent cardiac tragedies
Last updated 4/14/2008 2:55:13 PM
Sudden Death Syndrome
It is often difficult to consider that someone who is apparently young and fit may be at risk.However, every week in the UK at least 8 apparently ‘fit and healthy' young people (aged 35 and under) die from undiagnosed heart conditions.
Sudden Death Syndrome is an umbrella term used for the many different causes of cardiac arrest in young people. These conditions include thickening or abnormal structure of the heart muscle; and irregularities in the electrical impulses, which can upset the natural rhythm of the heart.
These conditions are sometimes also called Sudden Arrhythmia (or Adult) Death Syndrome – SADS.
CRY provides information on these conditions, on its websites http://www.c-r-y.org.uk/ and http://www.sads.org.uk/
Sporty youngsters stress their hearts the most. If they have an underlying cardiac abnormality they are more likely to be at risk. Sport itself does not lead to cardiac arrest but it can act as a trigger for a young person to die suddenly, by exacerbating an undetected condition.
The majority of young sudden deaths are due to inherited forms of heart muscle disorder and irregular heart beat.
What can we do?
There is a simple way to diagnose most of these abnormalities. This is by having an ECG (electrocardiogram) test. The test is quick, painless and affordable. For extra clarity an echocardiogram (ultrasound scan of the heart) can be taken if necessary.