Since the age of 19 I have experienced regular palpitations, at first it was something that somewhat worried me and it led me to take advice from both doctors and nurses within the NHS.  I was reassured by the NHS that there was no issues and my heart was perfectly fine.  However, to completely reassure myself and to take away any doubt I may have had, I attended a local C-R-Y event to which again all results came back positive.  To this day I have now attended 3 or 4 different events where I have had screenings by the charity (C-R-Y) and because of these screenings I feel completely reassured. 

In 2017 I lost my Dad (John Byatt) to a sudden heart attack.  Dad's death came as a huge shock to all as he was only 49 years old and he was in what some would considered to be in fine working health.  Dad's heart attack was closely linked to a heart condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.  Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a hereditary disorder that is characterised by abnormal thickening of the heart muscle. That thickening of the heart muscle isn’t there at birth and it usually develops during the pubertal spurt. However, the disorder can develop at any time during a life time and this is why I urge people to undertake regular checks.

The main reason for me wanting to put myself through 26 miles of pain is to raise awareness and to urge people to use the amazing charity.  The screening takes no longer than 30 minutes and results are provided by a qualified cardiac specialist.

C-R-Y:

Every week in the UK at least 12 apparently fit and healthy young people die of undiagnosed cardiac conditions. With your donation, CRY can reduce the frequency of young sudden cardiac death (YSCD) by working with cardiologists and family doctors to establish good practice and appropriate screening facilities to promote and protect the cardiac health of our young. By supporting CRY you will help save young lives from these potentially fatal cardiac conditions. See how your support can help by visiting www.c-r-y.org.uk