Young sportstars urged to have heart screened

Questions were immediately asked how a young fit person like Fabrice could collapse from a cardiac condition. However, fitness and health plays no part in it.

Every week across Britain, 12 young people under the age of 35 die from undiagnosed cardiac conditions and 80 per cent of these deaths occur with no prior symptoms.

Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) work tireless throughout the UK to raise awareness of conditions that can lead to Young Sudden Cardiac Death (YSCD); Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS.)

John Lundy, whose son Aaron sadly passed away aged 16 in 1999, spoke to the Mid Ulster Mail recently about the work of CRY in Northern Ireland.

“I would urge any young sportsmen or women to register with CRY to attend a screening session in Northern Ireland. We have a number of dates set aside at the moment and we would urge local sports clubs to take advantage of this opportunity.”

Four and a half years ago, Patrick Devlin, aged 13, was training at the Ardboe O’Donovan Rossa Club when he collapsed.

He was treated at the scene with a defibrillator but pronounced dead on arrival at Craigavon Area Hospital.

Screening dates in Northern Ireland at the moment are 12th and 13th May at the University of Ulster, Jordanstown, 9th and 10th June at UUJ, 21st and 22nd September in Derry. In addition there are dates also available on 1st and 2nd September in Coleraine, 6th, 7th October and 10th and 11th November at Jordanstown.

CRY NI is supported by patrons such as Manchester United star Jonny Evans, golfer Graeme McDowell and BBC broadcaster Mark Carruthers.

Interested parties are urged to contact CRY NI or register your interest at www.c-r-y.org.uk/frm01/screening_interest.php