University of Leicester holds life-saving heart screenings with Cardiac Risk in the Young

The University of Leicester has hosted a heart screening team from the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) to provide free tests on campus, supporting student wellbeing and raising awareness of undiagnosed cardiac conditions in young people. 

Leicester Students’ Union Sports Officer Ben Carpenter started a campaign to raise funds to hold a heart screening for fellow students at the University of Leicester. 

Sharing how he became aware of CRY, Ben said: "Following the death of a child playing rugby at my neighbouring school, my school hosted CRY to help make sure its students were as safe as they could be. Thanks to this, those with issues, myself included, were picked up and offered the necessary help that has kept us alive since then.

"Before going into my third year, I therefore decided to try and return the favour and give students here at Leicester a chance to get checked and potentially save their lives."

As part of the event, students aged 18–35 were invited to undergo a quick, non-invasive electrocardiogram (ECG) test—widely recognised as one of the most effective ways to identify many heart abnormalities that can lead to sudden cardiac death (SCD). 

Tom Ledgard, Head of Careers and Employability at the University of Leicester and a national representative for CRY, said: “I’m incredibly proud to have supported Ben to offer the heart screening for the University of Leicester community. Ben’s fundraising efforts alongside increasing awareness of undetected heart conditions will encourage more young people to have important conversations about cardiac health, early detection, and the wellbeing of young people.”

Representatives from CRY delivered the screenings with their specialist cardiac team and provided follow-up information and referrals where needed. According to CRY, at least 12 young (that is, aged 35 and under) people in the UK die each week from undiagnosed heart conditions— and in at least 80% of cases there will have been no prior symptoms or warning signs. Early screening can play a crucial role in identifying risks before they become life-threatening, and as such CRY tests the hearts of around 35,000 young people every year, aged 14-35.

Across the day, a total of 94 young people within the University of Leicester community received a heart screening with all individuals receiving an all clear. There are many opportunities to have a screening across the country with all details on the Test My Heart website.