Press release – 28th April 2006
Lisa’s family wish to thank, most sincerely, Mr Nicholas Rheinberg, the coroner for Cheshire, for his help and support which has enabled this new inquest to take place. Grateful thanks also go to Dr Elijah Behr for his care and dedication in screening us all, and for arranging for Lisa’s post-mortem tissue to be genetically tested.
We have heard evidence given today that screening can save lives. Long QT syndrome has affected five members of our family over three generations. An ECG test could well have saved Lisa’s life. All of the causes of sudden young cardiac death, many of which are genetic, are treatable, once diagnosed, and most people are able to live a relatively normal life.
There are at least 8 deaths a week to young sudden cardiac death, the majority of which could be prevented if there was a national screening programme for all teenagers at around the age of 14 years. The government pays to vaccinate all children and is now considering providing hearing tests for all newly born babies. How many more young people have to lose their lives to young sudden cardiac death before the government will agree to finance the necessary ECG screening?
It’s impossible to explain the depth of pain and devastation that these tragic deaths cause.
If anyone has had a young sudden cardiac death in their family, or a young individual suffers from any symptoms of chest pain (exercise related), breathlessness, palpitations, blackouts and dizziness; please go to your GP and ask to be referred to a specialist cardiologist. Too many people are misdiagnosed, being told that they have epilepsy or stress when in fact the problems may well be related to the heart.
Eight years has been an exceptionally long time for our family, but today’s inquest has given us the answers that we so desperately needed. We will now finally be able to bring about closure following Lisa’s tragic death.
The charity Cardiac Risk in the Young has provided us with valuable advice and support following Lisa’s death. For more information on CRY please telephone on 01737 363222 or visit the website at www.c-r-y.org.uk.
