Every week in the UK at least 12 young people die of undiagnosed heart conditions. Since its formation in 1995, Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) has been working to reduce the frequency of young sudden cardiac death (YSCD). CRY supports young people diagnosed with potentially life-threatening cardiac conditions and offers bereavement support to families affected by YSCD. CRY promotes and develops heart screening programmes and funds medical research. CRY publishes and distributes medical information written by leading cardiologists for the general public. CRY funds specialist referral, screening and cardiac pathology services at leading UK hospitals.
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0When Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) was founded in 1995, it was believed that 1 young person died every week in the UK from an undiagnosed cardiac condition. Through CRY’s ongoing research we now know that at least 12 young people, aged 35 and under, die every week in the UK from such conditions. In order to reduce the frequency of young sudden cardiac death (YSCD) and save young lives, CRY has developed a heart screening programme and funds medical research which will improve understanding of the conditions that can cause a young sudden cardiac death.
Our goal is to provide access to cardiac screening for all young people aged 14 to 35, and ultimately prevent any young person in the UK dying of an undiagnosed heart condition. As this is a long-term goal, we currently aim to make sure that all families that are affected by YSCD receive the help and support that they require. CRY provides bereavement support to families who have experienced a young sudden cardiac death and medical information highlighting the potential genetic risks posed to affected families. CRY also provides emotional support to young people diagnosed with cardiac conditions through its myheart network, which helps young people to develop coping strategies and to tackle any social isolation that they may feel due to their diagnosis and lifestyle limitations.
In order to raise awareness, CRY publishes and distributes medical information written by leading cardiologists for the general public and for medical professionals. We are also working hard to raise the profile of YSCD with politicians and other influential bodies in order to help change government policy on this issue. CRY also funds services at the CRY Centre for Cardiac Pathology and the CRY Inherited Cardiovascular Conditions (ICC) Clinic – both based at St. George’s Hospital, Tooting. At our ICC Clinic, CRY screens the family members of those affected by a young sudden cardiac death, so that any possible cardiac conditions within the family can be identified, thereby helping to prevent a further tragedy.
