Vital heart screening is helping to save young lives in North Devon
The annual Cardiac Risk in the Young free screening event for hidden heart conditions in under-35s has once again been hosted by Bideford College
A life-saving screening event to check young people for hidden heart conditions has once again been held at Bideford College by the North Devon branch of Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).
Each year the charity offers the free service at the college for 14 to 35-year-olds and it is funded entirely through local fundraising in memory of Martyn Luckett, who tragically died from a sudden cardiac arrest in 2005 aged just 19.
Martyn, from Hartland, is remembered by a dedicated group of family and friends who work tirelessly to raise the funds needed to bring the screening programme to North Devon and it has now being going locally for 18 years.
Sudden death in young adults from unknown heart issues are sadly all too common and regularly make the news. According to CRY, around 12 young people under 35 die suddenly each week from undiagnosed heart conditions — and 80 per cent of these deaths occur with no prior symptoms or warning.
Nationally, one in every 300 people screened by CRY will be identified with a potentially life-threatening condition.
To highlight that, during the screening weekend at Bideford, more than 200 young people were tested and nine were referred for further investigation.
Charlotte, Martyn’s sister and CRY’s North Devon representative, is committed to ensuring her brother’s legacy drives real change and helps to save lives.
She said: “My family do not wish for anyone to have the heartache we’ve had since losing Martyn, especially when frustratingly most deaths can be avoided by a simple and non‑invasive ECG. This provides the passion behind our mission to continuously fundraise.
“On one hand I do not wish to see anyone referred and that everyone is fit and healthy, but on the other hand it shows how vital the service is and recharges the fundraising batteries as each weekend costs just under £15,000.”
Martyn’s mum Brenda, added: “If only this service had been available when Martyn was alive. We are so grateful to Bideford College for supporting the screening event.
“The staff there are always so helpful and the team at CRY always comment on what a great venue it is to offer this vital service.”
Dr Claire Ankers, principal of Bideford College, said they were as ever pleased to have been able to host such an important event.
She added: “The work that CRY undertakes is invaluable and has immeasurable benefits to the young people of the Bideford community.
“The college looks forward to working closely with CRY in the future to ensure that the programme is available to even more people.”
Each screening event is supported by a CRY Research Fellow, who reviews every scan carried out on the day. This year, Dr Mihnea Casian attended and highlighted the importance of the programme.
She said: “The data from screening events like this shows exactly why CRY’s work is beneficial. Early detection saves lives - and without community funded programmes such as the one held at Bideford College, many young people would probably not have the opportunity to test their hearts.
“The dedication shown by Martyn’s family and the wider North Devon community directly translates into lives protected and futures safeguarded.”
Charlotte was particularly encouraged to see CRY’s long-term vision coming to life right here in Devon as well as around the country.
She said: “Because this area of inherited cardiac conditions, which may predispose to an unfortunate cardiac event is challenging and much needed, it was CRY’s vision to fund Research Fellows to work under Professor Sanjay Sharma for a period, then they would leave to work around the country, establishing or leading specialist centres nationwide.
“I was excited to learn that two of CRY’s previous Fellows are working in Exeter at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, which means the young who are referred can be seen by one of CRY’s expertly trained cardiologists practically on our doorstep. This is amazing news!”
CRY’s screening team use a simple, non invasive electrocardiogram (ECG) to detect most cardiac abnormalities, as well as a health questionnaire, focused on symptoms and family history. The procedure is quick, painless and highly effective.
If an abnormality is found, CRY provides a same day echocardiogram (ultrasound) at no additional cost. For more information about screening, visit www.testmyheart.org.uk.
To learn more about CRY, visit www.c-r-y.org.uk