Download Sudden Death Syndrome

Sudden Death Syndrome
Kings College Health Centre is determined to help tackle the issue of Sudden Death Syndrome by engaging in
raising awareness and offering screening to those deemed at risk.
According to British Heart Fundation : “Every week 12 people under the age of 35 die unexpectedly from a
heart condition they didn’t know they had.”
What is Sudden Death Syndrome?
Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) is the wide term used for several causes of cardiac arrest in young people and is
usually defined as non-traumatic, non-violent and unexpected.
These can be related to the thickening or abnormal structure of the heart muscle or even changes of the
electrical impulses that upset the natural rhythm of the heart.
“It is often difficult to consider that someone who is apparently young and fit may be at risk. There have been a
number of reported incidents of misdiagnosis culminating in a tragedy that could have been avoided.
Sporty youngsters stress their hearts the most. If they have an underlying cardiac abnormality they are more
likely to be at risk. 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” . (Source: C-R-Y.org.uk)
How can I know if I am at risk?
Do you have cardinal symptoms of cardiac diseases such as:
·
Chest pain
·
Breathlessness
·
Blackouts without warnings
And/or
·
Family history of inherited cardiac syndromes (https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/conditions/inheritedheart-conditions)?
If yes and you have concerns about this, book a routine appt with your GP to discuss it further and see if further
testing is recommended.
If you don't fit into that category, you will not be offered screening on the National Health Service. You would then
have to go privately or to a charitable organisation that could make this possible.
Further reading and viewing:
1.
http://www.c-r-y.org.uk/sudden-death-syndrome/
2.
https://www.bhf.org.uk/research/heart-research-history/sads
3.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07232qg