UK Screening Finds Heart Conditions in 175 Young Women

A voluntary heart screening program in the UK identified undiagnosed heart conditions in 175 women aged 14 to 35 who appeared healthy. Of those, 94 were classified at high risk of sudden cardiac death. The findings come from a review of checks conducted since the early 1990s by a charity that works with families affected by cardiac events. The review covered almost 40,000 participants.

Ninety-two heart issues were missed by the screening tests, including 28 classified as fairly major. The UK National Screening Committee is reviewing whether routine checks should be offered to everyone over age 14. The committee must weigh the benefit of identifying real cases against the anxiety caused by testing large numbers of young people who may not have conditions.

Lawrence, 24, from Surrey, collapsed during a netball match two years ago and was later diagnosed with a heart rhythm disorder. She received an implantable defibrillator that has delivered shocks twice, most recently in February. In the UK, sudden cardiac death occurs in about 12 people under age 35 each week.

The risk is approximately three times higher for males than for females in this age group. Some deaths are initially recorded as asthma, epilepsy, or drowning, which may understate the true number of cases linked to heart conditions.