Mandatory cardiac screening could save young people’s lives – Kennelly

The National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC) should seek the introduction of mandatory cardiac screening for young athletes aged 14 to 18, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

Senator Mike Kennelly said early detection using ECG testing could prevent sudden adult death syndrome (SADS) and identify conditions in young people before they become fatal.

“In Ireland, about 100 young people die every year from SADS.

“Shockingly, heart conditions are among the leading causes of sudden death among young athletes.

“Many conditions remain undiagnosed in young people due to their silent nature. We don’t expect young athletes to have hidden conditions and there are no symptoms or warnings, yet the consequences can be devastating.

“We need to see mandatory screening introduced through schools and sports clubs to ensure we catch any issues as early as possible.

“NSAC must look into how a screening programme like this could potentially be carried out. If we can get local schools and sports clubs to arrange screening, we could save many young lives.

“We’ve seen the incredible work the Dillon Quirke Foundation has done in memory of Dillon who died from SADS. They have already screened more than 10,000 young people, identifying 243 who required further cardiac evaluation. But we can’t leave all the work up to them, we need to play our part.

“The cost of inaction is measured in lost lives, grief-stricken families and communities devastated by preventable tragedies. We owe it to the families who have lost loved ones and to those who could be spared the heartbreak to act now before another young life is lost.

“Proactive measures save lives, we need to see this introduced to ensure we give our young athletes a chance at a long and active life”, concluded Senator Kennelly.