East Devon MP offers backing following CRY event

East Devon’s MP has pledged his support to save young lives as part of a leading charity’s calls for free heart screenings.

Sir Hugo Swire is among 130 MPs to back Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) national strategy for the prevention of young sudden cardiac death at its annual parliamentary reception on November 21.

Also in attendance was Sidmouth fundraisers Marion and Robert Hayman, who have raised thousands of pounds for the charity following the death of their son Jon at the age of 27.

During the event, the charity revealed new statistics including 82 per cent of UK adults thought the government should do more to prevent sudden cardiac deaths in young people.

Sir Hugo said: ““I am pleased to have been able to visit Sidmouth College to see this work at first hand. I urge all parents with young children and teenagers to get them checked for cardiovascular problems. This would save a lot of lives.”

Dr Steven Cox, chief executive of CRY, said: “It remains of huge concern to us that current UK policies are still contradictory, with guidelines based on incorrect assessments of the incidence, methods of diagnosis and positive management of cardiac conditions in young people.

“That’s why cross-party support for a new national strategy is so crucial, ensuring that the guidelines and policies to prevent young sudden cardiac death are consistent. And, the first stage of such a strategy must be to correctly acknowledge the incidence of these deaths.”