Awareness campaign on Sudden Cardiac Death launches today

A major awareness campaign on Sudden Cardiac Death is being launched today.

It is hoped that better information about the symptoms and preventions of sudden deaths could save lives.

Experts estimate that one young person dies here every week by Sudden Cardiac Death.

Chairperson of the support group, Mary Vasseghi, said there are certain symptoms to watch out for, such as chest pain after exertion.

She also said people should be wary of breathlessness, dizziness and rapid heart beats.

The group claims that hundreds of lives could be saved every year if resuscitation equipment was available in all public places.

They want defibrillators issued to workplaces and public buildings around the country.

Ms Vasseghi said defibrillators are the answer to reducing the number of deaths from sudden cardiac illness as they can reduce the risk of death if used in the first ten minutes after a heart attack.