A Labour MP, driven by a personal family tragedy, is demanding urgent government action to implement a national heart screening programme for young people. This call comes amid shocking statistics revealing that 12 young people aged 35 and under die suddenly each week in the UK from previously undiagnosed heart conditions.
A Personal Tragedy Fuels Political Action
Amanda Hack, the MP for North West Leicestershire, was moved to act after her niece, Isabella Wright, lost her partner. The young man, described as fit and healthy, died in his sleep from an unknown heart condition. "It's caused huge devastation," Ms Hack stated, highlighting the profound impact on both her niece and the man's family.
She emphasised the sense of injustice, arguing that simple, non-invasive tests like an ECG or Echocardiogram could have identified the risk. "We're not going to be able to eradicate it completely, but I think one of the things for me is making sure we can prevent as much of this as we can, because it's completely avoidable," the MP said.
The Stark Statistics Behind the Campaign
The campaign is supported by alarming data. Of the 12 weekly sudden cardiac deaths in young people, figures indicate that a staggering 80% occur with no prior symptoms. This silent threat underscores the critical need for proactive screening to detect hidden conditions.
Ms Hack points to a successful model in Italy, where a national screening program for competitive young athletes has reduced sudden cardiac death by 90%. She believes a similar, broader initiative in the UK could save countless young lives.
Charity and Families Echo the Call for Change
The plea for a national screening strategy is powerfully echoed by bereaved families and charities. Suzanne Rowan, a representative for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), lost her husband Robert to cardiomyopathy failure in 2018. "It's really important to me that I can try and help and get people tested, so that other families are spared going through what we've gone through," she said.
Since its founding in 1995, CRY has tested approximately 343,000 young people. However, its CEO, Dr Steven Cox, condemned the current reliance on charitable fundraising. "It is fundamentally wrong that the only reason that tens of thousands of young people in the UK are able to have their hearts tested each year is because bereaved families are forced to raise the funds themselves," he said.
In response to the growing pressure, a Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson confirmed that the UK National Screening Committee is examining evidence for screening for risks of sudden cardiac death and will open a public consultation on the matter in due course.
