Silent Heart Risks Detected in Young Women Through Simple Checks
Simple screening methods are identifying young women with undiagnosed heart conditions that place them at risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD), according to UK researchers.
This conclusion is drawn from a review of a voluntary screening program, funded by a charity collaborating with families affected by SCD, which has operated in the UK since the early 1990s.
Among nearly 40,000 women aged 14 to 35 who underwent heart examinations, 175 were found to have previously undiagnosed cardiac issues despite appearing healthy and fit. Of these, 94 were classified as high risk for sudden cardiac death.
Experts emphasize that SCD risk is not confined to athletic males; young women are also vulnerable, and early detection can be lifesaving.
The UK National Screening Committee is currently evaluating whether to implement heart condition screenings for all individuals aged 14 and above. A public consultation is planned, although no date has been announced.
The challenge lies in accurately identifying genuine cases of dangerous heart abnormalities while minimizing anxiety caused by unnecessary testing among many young people.
Screening tools such as electrocardiograms (ECGs) can sometimes fail to detect all cases. In this recent study involving girls and women, 92 heart conditions were missed, including 28 considered fairly serious.
Some causes of sudden cardiac death are hereditary, and the NHS provides free family screenings when such risks are suspected.
"My lips went blue"
Kaitlin Lawrence, 24, from Surrey, was diagnosed with a heart rhythm disorder two years ago after collapsing during a netball game.
She was about to participate in a league match when she suddenly felt unwell.
"Then a few seconds later I just passed out on the sideline," she recalls.
"My teammates say they couldn't revive me and my lips were going blue, although I was still breathing.
"The next thing I knew I was in an ambulance on the way to hospital."
She now has an implanted defibrillator device in her chest, which has already saved her life twice.
"It can give my heart an electric shock to get it working properly again," she explains.
"It feels like a thump when it happens. I had one recently, in February. It's a bit scary, but it works. I'm on beta-blocker tablets too to help keep my heart in the right rhythm."
Kaitlin notes that her condition could have been detected with a simple ECG, which records the heart's electrical activity.
Her family members are now undergoing screening, and many of her friends have also chosen to be checked.
Understanding Sudden Cardiac Death in the UK
In the UK, sudden cardiac death claims the lives of approximately 12 young people under 35 each week. The risk is about three times higher for boys and young men compared to girls and young women.
Individuals may exhibit no symptoms and appear fully healthy, with no obvious warning signs.
Simple triggers such as exposure to cold water or engaging in sports can induce fatal heart events in those with undiagnosed conditions, according to the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), which offers voluntary screening services.
CRY suggests that the actual number of affected individuals may be underestimated, as some sudden cardiac deaths are misclassified as asthma, epilepsy, or drowning.
Post-mortem investigations often reveal structural or electrical heart abnormalities, frequently inherited. However, in about 5% of cases, no identifiable cause is found.
The recent findings, covering a decade of data from CRY's voluntary screening program, are being presented at the British Cardiovascular Society's annual meeting in Manchester.
