DUBLIN–More than 1,000 young people from across Ireland were screened for signs of cardiac illness at
a dedicated centre in Tallaght Hospital last year.
The
National Centre for Cardiac Risk in Younger Persons provides screening and
assessment for family members who have died suddenly from cardiac causes.
In
its first annual report, the director of the center said a small percentage of
those people screened were identified as being at significant risk of sudden
death and were referred for an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), which will recognize
a life-threatening rhythm problem and shock them out of it within 20 seconds.
Dr
Deirdre Ward said about 50 percent of patients were told that they were fine and
needed no further treatment.
She
said about 30-40 percent of young patients did not need treatment at the time, but
would require check-ups in the future especially if there is a family history
of cardiac conditions.
Dr
Ward said they may carry the gene for a cardiac condition but may not have
developed the abnormality yet.
She
said 10 percent of the 1,380 patients they had seen had a definite diagnosis of
cardiac condition and required treatment such as medication or were advised to
make lifestyle changes.
National
Centre for Cardiac Risk also runs a twice monthly clinic in St James's Hospital
and is hoping to start a satellite service in St Vincent's Hospital.
More than 5,000 people suffer cardiac sudden death in Ireland every year and 60-80
are under 35 years of age.