It is a potentially life-threatening inherited heart condition which can cause cardiac arrest without warning.
HCM is a genetic condition caused by a change or mutation in one or more genes and is passed on through families.
Each child of someone with HCM has a 50 per cent chance of inheriting the condition.
The British Heart Foundation estimates that up to 120,000 people across the UK could be living with the condition, the majority of whom are undiagnosed.
The family of Sir David Frost and the British Heart Foundation (BHF) have launched a new nationwide genetic testing service to identify people at risk of the inherited heart condition which killed Sir David’s son Miles.
Although Sir David didn’t die of HCM, his post mortem found the disease was present, however Miles and his brothers, Wilf and George, were not tested for HCM at the time.
Miles died while out jogging at the age of 31 in July 2015.
Experts said the test could could check up to 800 people a year at risk of the genetic condition.
Wilfred Frost, younger brother of Miles Frost, said: “When Dad died we were all just in complete shock, and when Miles died it was even worse.
“To lose someone so young, who in the prime of his life, has been and still is hard to take. We miss him every day.
“We’re determined to look forward and help prevent other families from experiencing the heartache we have which is why we’re incredibly proud to roll out this new service.
“If we can prevent just one person suffering the same fate as Miles, then his death will not have been in vain.”
Among the six sites to benefit from funding are The Northern Ireland Inherited Cardiac Conditions (ICC) service, based in the Belfast Trust, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in London.
There will also be testing in Oxford, Sheffield, South Wales and Glasgow.
“BHF researchers were among the first to find the faulty genes underlying the deadly heart condition which caused the tragic death of Miles Frost,” said Simon Gillespie, chief executive at the British Heart Foundation.
“Thanks to this pioneering discovery, genetic testing for HCM and other inherited heart conditions is now available in the UK.
“By working with the Frost family to establish a fully functional, UK-wide cascade testing service for parents, siblings and children who could be at risk, our aim is to ensure people who have HCM are identified and treated to prevent a needless loss of life.”
Symptoms of the condition include shortness of breath, chest pain, palpitations and light-headedness and fainting.
Being tested as soon as possible means that your treatment can start as quickly as possible, which will reduce your risk of developing life-threatening abnormal heart rhythms.
Dr Alison Muir, consultant cardiologist at Belfast City Hospital, leads the Inherited Cardiac Conditions service.
She said: “The Inherited Cardiac Conditions service in Belfast is already very successful in identifying genetic conditions and supporting families.
Find out more about the Miles Frost Fund.
Daily Express :: Life and Style Feed
