Community Heart Screening
Everton in the Community’s partnership with the Vital Sounds Foundation (VSF) and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital reached a significant milestone recently when the 1000th individual received a free heart screening test via the initiative.
Goodison played host to a screening event, facilitated by the Club’s official charity, to identify if any 15-35 year old were at risk of sudden cardiac arrest on Saturday 6 June.
Held in the 1878 Suite, the free heart screenings were ongoing throughout the day and were utilised by members of the general public, as well as Everton in the Community participants and Club staff.
Of the 86 people screened, three referrals were made to Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital with a further three referrals for high blood pressure.
Chris Clarke, who was the 1000thperson to be screened, made his way in at 12.30pm and was unaware of the stat until being informed by staff on the day.
Speaking of the little bit of history he helped to create, Chris said:
“What a milestone reached by Vital Signs Foundation, Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital and all involved with this initiative! It was quite poignant that my little boy Tristan was with me today as he, along with my daughters’ Leona and Halle are the reason I came to get screened. Becoming a father makes you more aware of your own mortality and I’d do anything to make sure I’m there for my kids as they grow up.”
Michael Salla, Health and Wellbeing Manager at Everton in the Community, added: “In line with our Health and Wellbeing Strategy, we're delighted to be able to host this screening to help identify any heart abnormalities that would otherwise go undetected. Furthermore, thanks to the support of Everton Football Club, we are able to considerably raise the awareness of the condition and VSF to help ensure more young people are screened.”
Every week, 12 apparently fit and healthy young people aged between 15-35 years old die every week in the UK from undiagnosed heart conditions. For the past 18months, LHCH has worked with the Vital Signs Foundation to raise awareness and promote screening of otherwise fit and healthy undiagnosed individuals within our community.
If you would like to know more about how you could become involved with the charity, click here.
To support the VSF Charity in continuing its free delivery screenings across the region, text CHAW25 plus your donation amount to 70070.