A TEEANGE Olympic swimming hopeful from Timperley who died from an undiagnosed heart defect was remembered as the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young carried out its 10,000th cardiac screening in the North West on Saturday.

The milestone event took place at Altrincham Methodist Church on Saturday, and was funded by Chloe Waddell's family.

Former Altrincham Grammar pupil Chloe died in her sleep from an undiagnosed heart condition at the age of 16 in February 2013.

CRY was set up in 1995 to identify such heart conditions in young people though screening.

Every week, at least 12 young (35 and under) apparently fit and healthy people die from a previously undiagnosed heart condition.

Many – but not all - of these young people will have been involved in sport at the time of their death. Sport and physical activity does not cause sudden cardiac death itself, but it can significantly exacerbate an existing, undiagnosed condition.

Chief executive of CRY, Dr Steven Cox, says: “The death of a young person is devastating for any family. It is therefore essential that anyone with a potentially fatal heart condition knows about it. Without this knowledge and, if necessary, appropriate treatment, they could be putting their lives at risk as in 80 per cent of cases there are no signs or symptoms."

An ECG (electrocardiogram) test – the internationally recognised, gold-standard diagnostic test, that underpins CRY’s screening programme - is a simple way to identify the vast majority of abnormalities that can cause sudden deaths in young people. The test is quick, non-invasive and, if necessary, a further echocardiogram (ultrasound scan of the heart) can be taken on the same day to provide further clarity or reassurance.

Dr Cox added: "Across the UK, we have carried out over 120,000 cardiac screens and we are certainly in a position at the moment where we cannot meet demand. We will therefore continue to campaign for greater support and endorsement from the government.

“But, in the meantime, I want to thank families and supporters across the North West who have helped us reach this incredible milestone. This is where we started screening and it is therefore fitting we can use this to highlight that screening is the most effective way we have of saving young lives from these cruel and indiscriminate heart conditions.”

Find more information about CRY at c-r-y.org.uk. Any person between the age of 14 and 35 can register for a free cardiac screening at testmyheart.org