Students offered heart screenings

Warwick students will be offered the opportunity to have a free heart screening on 12th and 13th June, as part of the Student Heart Health scheme.

The screenings, which will be offered to approximately 200 Warwick students, aim to spot any cardiac abnormalities, which may have previously gone unnoticed. Screenings will involve a discussion with a specialist, as well as an ECG.

It is estimated that as many as 130,000 young people in the UK may have an undiagnosed heart condition. Approximately 12 seemingly healthy young people die every week in the UK because of undiagnosed heart conditions.

Recent high-profile cases have drawn media attention to the issue on an international level, for example the recent case of Fabrice Muamba. Young, athletic individuals have been proven to be the most vulnerable to Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS).

The project aims to raise awareness of cardiac conditions, symptoms and to hold screening sessions for Warwick students.

Kirsten Brooks, a first-year History student, plans to attend the screening event. She said, “I’m going because it’s a free service and it’ll feel good to get a clean bill of health. I’ll know I’m looking after my heart properly even after I’ve left home.”

Other universities, such as the University of Nottingham, have previously offered similar screening opportunities in connection with the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young.

Details of how to register for a screening and more information about the scheme can be found on the website http://studenthearthealth.co.uk/.