Coroners’ heart death
advice could
save lives

Chief coroner of England and Wales Peter Thornton QC has called on coroners in England and Wales to recommend that relatives of those who die of genetic heart conditions get a check-up, and the British Heart Foundation says it could “save hundreds of lives” every year.

The BHF said a death in the family can sometimes be the first time people find out about an inherited ailment, yet even after such deaths family members do not always get themselves screened.

It said that every year in the UK around 600 people under the age of 35 die suddenly, with no apparent explanation or cause, and many of these deaths are due to an inherited heart condition.

New guidance, developed by the charity and the chief coroner, suggests that family members of such people should be signposted to their GP, who can then refer them to a cardiac genetic clinic.

Professor Peter Weissberg, medical director at the BHF, said: “Their life could be in danger and their family could be devastated all over again – something a simple blood test could set right.

“We are delighted the chief coroner is supporting this important guidance. ”

The chief coroner Mr Thornton said: “It is a vital part of coroner work to prevent future deaths wherever possible.”