Sudden Cardiac Death in teenagers screening package recommendations

[justcametomind]

I'm looking for a straight forward package to screen for heart problems in an active teen (over 14) to catch any heart problems early. I can go to central London but if there's anything in the Southampton/Bournemouth/Swindon/Bath/Bristol sort of area then it would be more convenient. Just a simple straight forward package focusing on an ECG. Don't want to bother my GP with it and likely to get fobbed off anyway. Happy to pay for a package. I looked at the Cardic Risk in the Young website but they seem busy and booked up with only the option to join an email waiting list. Any recommendations appreciated. Would prefer the package designed for this purpose. Thanks.

Do you have a good reason to be asking for one? If so then your GP would happily oblige, if not you’re being overly anxious.

We used Advanced Medical Services Ltd.

It was £79 but they were coming out to the school and doing a large number of screenings. They may be more expensive for a single test.

https://advancedmedicalservices.ie/services/cardiac-sports-screening/

Hello. Are you worried about cardiomyopathy? If so, I don't believe an ECG diagnoses it. I think a scan would be more appropriate. I'm sure you can get a private one, but if you have concerns then any good GP should refer you? Is there heart disease in your family?

Southampton has a very good cardio clinic.

Hi @justcametomind
Have you heard of the charity CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young)? They offer free screening, but will also be able to point you in the right direction.

I don't think she's being anxious. She's just covering all bases, and she has acknowledged that the NHS doesn't have the time or resources for it and is going to pay herself.

All the boys at DS's school are offered screening at 14. It's a thing- not just an over-anxious OP.

How quickly do you want it done? I joined the CRY mailing list about 6 month ago and got an email the other week to say there was going to be 2 days local to me released the following day. I'm also in the north so screening days come around less often. It did book up reasonably quickly, within a few hours or so, but I was just sat waiting for the release time.

My son had an ECG and an Echo scan done with Spire when he was 15.
It was because he had a run of unexplained fainting (we were waiting for it on the NHS but Covid meant huge delays) I didn't need to say that when I booked the scans though I just booked the scans and followup consultation.

Calon hearts do it, they charge for under 16s
https://calonhearts.org/screenings#:~:text=Rookwood%20Close%2C%20Llandaff%2C%20Cardiff%20CF5,a%20consultation%20with%20the%20Cardiologist.

Is that a private school?

I didn't know that testing for this was a thing unless there are signs / concerning history.

Yes, a private school.

https://www.sadsuk.org.uk/history.html

This is a wonderful charity and while they don't offer screening themselves, they'll be able to advise both before and after, if anything is discovered.

I've never heard of this, especially that it could be routine I some schools.

Can anyone fill me in or link me?

Is it a particular risk for say sporty kids then or a particular subgroup?

DS’s old school ( private) arrange regular visits by a medical charity CRY that do the screening. The school encourages sport so provide it ( cost was about £50).
DS had screening around age 12 for a particular health problem, but after the pandemic and reports of an increase in heart problems, particularly in young males, I thought it would be a good idea, DS plays a lot of sport.
After a local boy died playing sport, due to a cardiac problems, many sports clubs invested in AEGs. School always had a first aider/medical staff, who were trained to use an AEG, at the playing fields for all sports matches and during training sessions.
Although screening can help prevent cardiac events in youngsters, I think it is far more important to fund AEGs for schools and sports clubs along with training for coaches and first aiders.

They are offering this at my DC's (state) school this week. Unfortunately mine can't have it as he's a few weeks shy of 14

My ds 23 has fainted 3 times on long haul flights. His grandma has cardiomyopathy so I'm nagging him to get tested.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I'm on the CRY mailing list. Maybe I'll wait a bit longer see if they release dates, I don't particularly want to use their resources if I can find a resonably priced private package but it seems the price decreases considerably after 16. My son's school has a playing field quite a distance from the main school, it's a bit isolated and I have never checked if they have an AED there so I think I will check.

My GP fobbed my breathing problems off turns out I had a LBBB which is something that needs checking as it could be significant or not, only scans and tests can tell us that. I went for a private check up package out of desperation and it was a private GP who set the wheels in motion to get my heart checked properly. My cardiophysioligist has been great but my GP let me down badly. An ECG is really a nothing these days, even a basic 6-lead picked up on it, it really shouldn't be something a GP should feel they need to restrict access to no more than taking a BP reading, it's not that expensive in the grand scheme of things.

My colleague had absolutely zero signs of any heart issues until he died one morning at the age of 27. Another colleague's son died in his sleep at the age of 18. All undiagnosed heart issues with absolutely zero symptoms. Both very (outwardly) healthy and very sporty guys.

My daughter is on exercise restrictions because she is at risk of sudden cardiac death (ARCA). We have been told the risk is the same as being struck by lighting but that is not much comfort!

Her brothers have both had a CRY screening and because of their sister's defect they were also given an ECHO.