Trinity Helps To Land Media Coverage For A Major New Research Study – Showing That Cardiac Screening In Young People ‘saves Lives’

Trinity has had the privilege of working alongside the team at Cardiac Risk in the Young – managing its PR strategy and 24/7 press office – for over 20 years. And this week was truly representative of the amazing achievements of this small (well, not that small anymore!) but mighty charity and the huge impact of its pioneering research programme.

On Tuesday February 24th, a major research study, the largest of its kind (reviewing cardiac screening data collated over a 10-year period), was published Journal of the American College of Cardiology. A proactive, media relations programme led to great interest across UK national media, with pieces places in The Times, Daily Mail, Life Sciences Daily News, LBC and Radio 4 “The World at One”, as well as numerous local news outlets. This new evidence has the potential to inform cardiac screening policy in the UK….and so media coverage around this new study and its key findings is set to run for some time yet…

CRY’s CEO, Dr Steven Cox, explained; “This largest-ever study of cardiac screening in young people has delivered compelling evidence that heart checks using electrocardiograms (ECGs) can identify potentially life‑threatening conditions in young people and save lives, but whilst also demonstrating that a single screening is not enough to protect all those at risk.

“Carried out by a team of 25 researchers at City St George’s, University of London and St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – and funded by Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) – the study analysed outcomes from more than 104,000 individuals aged 14 to 35 who underwent testing (through CRY’s UK-wide screening programme) between 2008 and 2018.

“It is the first – and largest – study of its kind to systematically follow up every participant, providing an unprecedented dataset that reveals how vital cardiac screening is in asymptomatic young people.

“The findings, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology show that one in 300 young people screened were diagnosed with a serious cardiac condition that could have fatal consequences if left untreated, and that 41% of those diagnosed went on to receive significant risk‑reducing interventions such as implantable defibrillators, pacemakers, ablation procedures and, in two cases, heart transplantation. Others received medical management, monitoring and lifestyle guidance.

“The study also highlights the importance of repeat screening: although ECG testing demonstrated strong – arguably, ‘unrivalled’ – sensitivity (77%) and a low false‑positive rate of 2.1%, follow‑up revealed that 0.08% of individuals with an initially normal ECG later developed a condition associated with Young Sudden Cardiac Death (YSCD). Further reinforcing the need for ongoing screening rather than a ‘one‑off’ test.

“With 12 young people (aged 35 and under) dying each week in the UK from previously undiagnosed heart conditions, and 80% showing no symptoms beforehand, CRY maintains that proactive screening is essential, currently testing around 35,000 young people every year.

“We hope the study will strengthen the case for national investment in preventive screening, particularly at a time when the UK National Screening Committee faces scrutiny for rejecting screening proposals in other disease areas (e.g. prostate cancer).

“And, for all those bereaved families – who have funded CRY’s research – this study marks a pivotal moment: clear evidence that screening saves lives, and a roadmap for preventing further, devastating tragedies. We will maintain the momentum set and awareness generated through the launch of CRY’s 2030 strategy, including a major AI‑driven cardiac screening and research initiative.”

Keep up the good work CRY – we’re so honoured to have been with you every step of the way on this incredible journey #12aweek #screeningsaveslives