The FA, the PFA, the Football Foundation and charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), recently launched a joint initiative which aims to raise awareness of sudden cardiac death in the young.

Hosted by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Andy Burnham MP at 11 Downing Street, the launch marked the start of an initiative which aims to highlight the opportunities for young amateur footballers to be tested for cardiac problems.

The FA and PFA introduced a voluntary heart screening programme for 16-year-old players attached to a professional football club over 11 years ago. 

It is now hoped that that this joint awareness campaign will help to increase the numbers of young people taking up voluntary cardiac testing and will reduce the number of incidences of young sudden cardiac death.

Established in 1995, CRY raises awareness of heart conditions that if not diagnosed, can cause young sudden cardiac death.  If these conditions are identified and diagnosed by an expert they are treatable and the risk level can be assessed.
 
The charity is developing a national network of cardiac testing clinics available to any young person between the ages of 14–35, where they can receive personal cardiac testing for £35. 
 
For information on these conditions and how you can get tested visit www.c-r-y.org.uk