This weekend there will be a free cardiac screening programme for people aged 14-35 year olds at Old Elthamians Sports Club.

Taking place on Saturday 21st June and Sunday 22nd June, this screening clinic is sponsored by The Ben Daniels Memorial Fund www.bendanielsmemorialfund.co.uk .

Ben loved playing sport and his untimely death on the sports field followed a year later by the collapse of Fabrice Muamba and many other high profile deaths has highlighted the need to offer the opportunity to young people to be screened for their cardiac health.

CRY’s mission is to identify those that are at risk from sudden cardiac death. Sudden Death Syndrome is an umbrella term used for
the many different types of cardiac arrest in young people.

These conditions include the thickening or abnormal structure of the heart and irregularities of the impulses that upset the natural rhythm of the heart. Sporty youngsters stress their heart the most. If they have an underlying cardiac abnormality, they are more likely to be at risk. It is important to stress that exercise is NOT bad for you and sport itself does not lead to cardiac arrest, but it can act as a trigger for a young person to die suddenly by exacerbating an undetected condition.

Screening is important because:

 Every week in the UK at least 12 apparently “fit and healthy” young people like Ben die suddenly of undiagnosed heart
conditions.

 Most of these conditions do not show with symptoms.

 80% of young people who die suddenly did not have symptoms

At a screening, the person being tested will receive an Electrocardiogram (ECG) that examines the electrical activity of the heart and as required an echocardiogram (ECHO) and physical examination.

It is a non-invasive procedure that will take no more than 10 minutes to complete and is performed by qualified cardiac physiologists. Their expert mobile screening team regularly screen amongst others the England Cricket, Football and Rugby teams, the Olympic Team GB, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City.

The ECG results will be examined and some individuals will be required to undertake a follow-up echocardiogram (ECHO). This is an ultrasound scan of the heart that looks at its size, structure and blood flow. All results suggesting an abnormality will then be sent to CRY’s consultant cardiologist Professor Sanjay Sharma, a leading expert on inherited cardiac conditions. Professor Sanjay Sharma is also medical director for the London Marathon and cardiologist for Team GB Olympic Athletes.

The screening clinic will be held all day at OESC from 9am to 5pm and appointments are in 10 minute slots.

If you would like to be tested or have your son/daughter tested for their cardiac health and wish to book a slot you can do so online at www.testmyheart.org.uk/private/

1. Click on Old Elthamians Sports Club.
2. Enter the password ‘Kent’ (case sensitive).
3. Click on places available.
4. Choose your appointment slot on either Saturday 21st June or Sunday 22nd June 2014.
5. Fill in the relevant details (please make sure you have your Doctors name, full address and telephone number to hand) and click BOOK.

Please note that screening appointments are on a first come first served basis. Those being screened must be at least 14 years of
age on the date of screening and no older than 35.

If you would like to make a donation to the Ben Daniels Memorial Fund to contribute towards the cost of future screening events please visit Ben’s Just Giving page www.justgiving.com/bendaniels . It costs £35 to screen each individual.