Premiership footballer Fabrice Muamba's collapse during a game yesterday highlights the cardiac risks for young people, a heart charity has warned.The shock caused by the player's sudden collapse and fight for life was underlined by his seemingly healthy condition as a young professional athlete.
Dr Steve Cox, director of screening at the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (Cry), said that sport can significantly increase the risk of a cardiac incident if a person has an underlying condition.
He said: "Cry wants all young people to be aware of the importance of cardiac screening and to have the opportunity to be tested.
"We already provide screening services for a number of professional sporting bodies, including the English Institute of Sport, the RFU, RFL, LTA and a number of Football Association teams including Manchester City."
He added: "One in every 300 of the young people that Cry tests will be identified with a potentially life-threatening condition. "Every week in the UK, 12 apparently fit and healthy young people under the age of 35 die from undiagnosed cardiac conditions.
The charity said that 80% of apparently healthy 14- to 35-year-olds who die from cardiac issues will have shown no previous sign of heart defects.
Speaking on Sky News, Robert Hall, the Chief Executive of charity The Cardiomyopathy Association, said that cardiac conditions and symptoms could vary for each individual and were associated with sudden death syndrome.
"Situations like this are not just associated with exercise, they can happen while people are at rest."
Mitchell Cole, a former professional footballer for West Ham, who had to retire last year due to a heart condition, saw Muamba's collapse while watching the Spurs-Bolton game with friends.
Mr Cole said: "I was in shock just watching it. It's really distressing, that could have happened to me.
"I been one of the really lucky ones, I've come out of the sport and I'm still okay at the minute and hopefully Fabrice will be the same."
In 1995 John Marshall, a 16-year-old footballer from Lancashire, died the day before he was due to sign for Everton football club.
His sister Hayley Marshall said: "He was classed as one of the fittest in the country, and he was an elite athlete.
"He passed away suddenly and it came as a big shock to us all because he was so fit."
In June 2003, Cameroon footballer Marc-Vivien Foe died after collapsing with a heart attack during an international match in France.
The 28-year-old was treated on the pitch before being stretchered off and receiving further treatment, including mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and extra oxygen.
Medical staff tried to restart his heart for 45 minutes but without success.
We would like to add our name to all the well wishes who have sent their thoughts and prayers to Fabrice and his family. We wish him a full recovery.
We extend our prayers to all the families who have lost loved ones during this week to the undiagnosed cardiac conditions.
We would also like to send our thanks to the staff of the London Chest Hospital. Six years ago this coming Tuesday they certainly saved my life. A fantastic team all round. Mr Uppal, Ann, John, Rory, Josh, Jill, Pablo, Mervin and all the team on Leander, eternally grateful. Tony, Charlie, Matthew, my comrades in the corner hope you're well and to Phil who didn't make it - thinking of you.
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