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Hidden Heart Risks Found in Young Women
1 Jun
Summary
- Simple heart checks detect silent issues in young women.
- 175 women aged 14-35 found with undiagnosed heart problems.
- UK reviewing nationwide screening for sudden cardiac death risks.
Simple heart checks are identifying young women with silent heart conditions that put them at risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD).
A review of a voluntary UK screening service found 175 women, aged 14 to 35, with undiagnosed issues, despite appearing healthy. Of these, 94 were identified as being at high risk of SCD.
Experts emphasize that young women can be affected by these heart risks, and early diagnosis is crucial. The UK National Screening Committee is considering whether all individuals over 14 should undergo checks for conditions associated with SCD. A public consultation is anticipated.
While screening is vital, challenges exist in balancing the detection of genuine cases against the anxiety caused by unnecessary checks. Even simple tests like ECGs can miss issues; in this study, 92 heart problems were overlooked. Causes of SCD can be hereditary, with the NHS offering family checks if suspected.
Kaitlin Lawrence, 24, experienced a collapse during a netball match due to a heart rhythm problem. Fitted with a defibrillator, her life has been saved twice. She believes her condition could have been detected by a simple ECG. In the UK, SCD tragically claims 12 young people under 35 weekly, with males at a higher risk than females.
