Checks reveal young women with deadly 'silent' heart risk

Checks reveal young women with deadly 'silent' heart risk, according to UK researchers. The researchers say that simple checks are spotting young women with silent heart issues that puts them at risk of their heart stopping suddenly, known as sudden cardiac death (SCD). From almost 40,000 women aged 14 to 35 who had heart checks, 175 were found to have undiagnosed issues, despite appearing fit and healthy, with 94 at high risk of sudden cardiac death.

The findings come from a review of a voluntary screening service, funded by a charity working with bereaved families, that has been running in the UK since the early 1990s. Kaitlin Lawrence, 24, from Surrey, was diagnosed with a heart rhythm problem two years ago after collapsing on a netball court. Kaitlin says, "Then a few seconds later, I just passed out on the sideline." She also says, "My teammates say they couldn't revive me, and my lips were going blue, although I was still breathing." In the UK, SCD kills 12 young people under the age of 35 each week.

The UK National Screening Committee is reviewing whether all over-14s should be checked for conditions associated with SCD. A public consultation is due to be held, although no date has yet been confirmed. The latest findings, which cover a decade of the voluntary screening service run by CRY, are being discussed at the annual meeting of the British Cardiovascular Society in Manchester.