What is the purpose of cardiac screening?

Sometimes an individual may have a cardiac abnormality without any symptoms. Screening with an electrocardiogram (ECG) is aimed at identifying people with conditions such as heart muscles disorders or electrical faults of the heart.

Is screening just for athletes?
At CRY, we believe all young people aged 14-35 should have the opportunity to be screened. Cardiac incidents can take place at any time. They are not limited to high-intensity sport; they may occur just jogging across the park or when asleep at night. The screenings programme is not just for people who play sport.

What will happen if I am found to have a condition?
It would depend on the condition. Although many of the conditions are not ‘curable’ they are all treatable and treatments range from lifestyle adaptations to drug therapy or, in some cases, surgery.

If you are concerned or experiencing any of the below symptoms, please contact your GP.

• chest pain, especially during exercise.
• loss of consciousness.
• breathlessness.
• dizziness.
• heart palpitations or fluttering feeling.
• unexplained fainting, especially during exercise.

If you pass out with no warning (i.e. you collapse and do not protect yourself by putting out your hands) it is very important that you contact your GP so that this can be investigated. It is important to let your GP know if there was no warning before you passed out.