Study shows sudden cardiac attacks in people under age of 35

MORE than 70 people under the age of 35 died from sudden cardiac attacks in a 10-year period to 2002, a study carried out in Dublin has found.

The study, carried out on behalf of the charity group Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), found that from January 1993 to the end of 2002, 20 people died due to atherosclerotic coronary heart disease, or a heart attack, 13 died from Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADs), six died from cardiac arrhythmia, while seven cases had no specific diagnosis. The remaining cases were due to Myocarditis, aortic rupture, Marfans Syndrome and one case of infective endocarditis. There was one case of cardiomyopathy associated with cocaine use.

The study focussed on Dublin City only and is published in the Irish Medical Journal.

Dr Fionnuala Quigley, one of the four-person team who carried out the research, said GPs now needed to be more aware of any symptoms which could indicate a risk of SADs.

“Doctors need to be increasingly aware of any symptoms and if there is a family history of sudden death under the age of 50.

“We need to have a register of all these deaths and we need to do more research in this area. The question is, can we pick this up? It is easier said than done.”

Four of the deaths occurred while the person was exercising, including a 17-year-old who had played football just before his death.

A 29-year-old man was also playing football at the time of his death, while a 33-year-old man was playing pool when he died and an 18-year-old died from Marfans Syndrome while dancing.

CRY and the Mater Foundation have been seeking to establish a National Screening Centre for family members of those who had died from SADs, or those who may be referred for screening by their GP.

The Mater Foundation has secured a premises at Heart House on Dublin’s Eccles St where cardiac rehab and other services are already established. However, the body will soon launch another fundraising drive to staff and equip the screening centre for SADs and associated illnesses.

A spokesperson for the Mater Foundation yesterday said such a facility would cost €1.5m to €2 million.