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Medics realised Clarissa Nicholls had a heart condition two weeks after she collapsed and died on a hike in France – and experts say the condition is a regular silent killer
A devastated mum whose daughter was struck by a ‘silent killer’ that experts says kills at least 12 a week and mainly affects healthy young people is warning others about the cruel condition.
Hilary Nicholls, who lost her daughter Clarissa in May, says there were no signs before she suddenly collapsed on a hike in France. The 20-year-old from London was a national runner and had been sporty from a young age. Two weeks after her death, doctors realised she had an undiagnosed heart condition.
Up to one in 300 people may be carrying the condition, charity Cardiac Risk in the Young says, with Hilary now urging grassroots sports clubs to give young athletes mandatory heart screening by specialists.
She paid tribute to much-loved Clarissa ‘who had the most enormous number of friends’ and declared she wants to fight for others who may have the same condition.
