DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
News Release issued by COI News Distribution Service. 7 November 2008
A database
launched today will help identify the incidence and causes of
sudden cardiac death and save the lives of people who may
currently be at risk from the inherited heart condition that can
strike without warning, the Department of Health announced today.
Designed by pathologists and cardiologists, and funded by the
Department of Health, the database will be a key tool in
understanding the incidence and causes of inheritable conditions
that can cause sudden cardiac death.
Sudden cardiac death can happen unexpectedly in apparently fit
and healthy people. The main cause for those under the age of 35
is an inheritable heart condition.
The new database will help pathologists record cases referred to
them by coroners. This information will ultimately allow doctors
to understand better where and why these inheritable heart
conditions are occurring, and so help save lives.
With a greater knowledge of the incidence, prevalence and causes
of sudden cardiac death, doctors will be able to identify better
people at risk from one of these conditions and help them get
access to the services they need. Close family members of victims
of sudden cardiac death will be referred to specialist inherited
cardiac conditions centres where they will be offered counselling
and support.
Professor Roger Boyle, National Director for Heart Disease and
Stroke said:
"This database will provide invaluable information for
doctors on the causes, incidence and prevalence of sudden cardiac
death. As well as improving our understanding of inherited
cardiovascular disease it will actually save lives by identifying
young victims of sudden cardiac death and helping their families
reduce their own risk."
Health Minister Ann Keen said:
"Today's announcement shows that the Government is
continuing to build on the very significant progress already made
in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. We met our pledge to
reduce deaths from cardiovascular disease by 40 per cent five
years earlier than the 2010 target and are committed to going
still further.
"By funding this database, the Department of Health is
committing to recommendations in the Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)
National Service Framework (NSF) to reduce mortality from sudden
cardiac death and improve services for families who have had the
tragic experience of losing a close relative."
Patrick Gallagher, Co-chair of the UK Cardiac Pathology Network
(UKCPN) said:
"This is a most welcome development. Pathologists obtain
important information from careful post mortem examination of
young sudden death victims. This database will ensure that this
information is recorded and retained centrally. It is important
that details of the post mortem examination are available to
cardiologists and geneticists who will be investigating relatives
of sudden death victims."
Notes to editors:
1. For media enquiries only contact the Department of Health
Media Centre on tel: 020 7210 5221
2. The UK Cardiac Pathology Steering Group will encourage all
pathologists in the UK Cardiac Pathology Network (UKCPN) to use
the database from today.
3. In most middle-aged and older adults, sudden cardiac death is
caused by coronary artery disease. In individuals aged less than
35 years, it is frequently caused by inherited disorders of
cardiac muscle (cardiomyopathy) and cardiac rhythm (ion channelopathies).
4. Funded by the Department of Health, the database has been
designed for use by all cardiac pathologists in the UK Cardiac
Pathology Network (UKCPN).
5. By funding this new database, the Department of Health is
meeting a key recommendation in Chapter 8 of the Coronary Heart
Disease National Service Framework (Chapter 8) to reduce mortality
from sudden cardiac death and improve services for families who
have lost a close relative.
6.Chapter 8, launched in 2005, emphasises the importance of
family assessment when a sudden cardiac death occurs in a young person.
7. The UK Cardiac Pathology Network (UKCPN) has recently been
established to develop a network of pathologists to provide local
coroners with an expert cardiac pathology service, and promote
best pathological practice in sudden death cases.
8. The database cost around £35,000 to establish.
9. Sudden cardiac death kills around 500-600 people under the age
of 35 each year.