Warwick Heart Health

In 2003, Cameroon footballer Marc-Vivien Foé died during a match in France against Colombia. Despite the efforts of medical staff, he could not be resuscitated after collapsing in the centre circle. His death was a shock to the footballing community and the world, and was eventually discovered to be the result of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a heart disease that has killed many young athletes. From ice hockey to long distance running, most professional sports have suffered at least one death from the disease. And just this week, a young Ukrainian footballer, Oleh Hrychak, died of heart failure during an Arsenal Kiev youth match. In fact, 12 apparently healthy people die every week in the UK alone from cardiac abnormalities. A little help now may prevent the same thing happening on our own doorstep.

A new initiative has started on campus called Warwick Heart Health, which is working with the charity CRY to bring heart screening to Warwick campus. A simple heart test can discover if a person has symptoms of HCM, allowing that person to receive the necessary medical treatment to live a normal life. Unfortunately, the screening does not come cheap, so the coming months will see activities and fundraising events designed to help fund screening for the university’s elite athletes and, in the Autumn term, the new batch of freshers. Already, the One World Week Fitness Rave, the rugby team’s slave auction, and the Rag society have all contributed funds towards the cause. Coming up soon, there will be military fitness workouts, fun runs, more fitness raves and other exciting activities to get people involved and to raise vital money.

More information can be found at http://warwickhearthealth.co.uk/, which will soon include details about how to donate and get involved. Keep an eye out around campus for posters and flyers advertising the new initiatives.