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Philips and Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) have committed to raise heart awareness through the launch of their Heart Screening Partnership, designed to help families understand the simple steps involved.

Heart disease is not just a problem associated with old age; it kills up to eight young people every week in the UK. By providing easy access to heart screening and professional support, it can significantly help to reduce the number of avoidable deaths.

Philips and Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) have committed to raise heart awareness through the launch of their Heart Screening Partnership, designed to help families understand the simple steps involved.

David Walliams, TV personality and Patron of CRY will be supporting the launch of the partnership by appearing in a short film designed to show young people that the screening process is not a scary one, available to view at www.c-r-y.org.uk/philips.htm.

Walliams in front of the Philips ECHO machine

Walliams says, "The screening process is so easy, it tickles a little, and it's funny seeing inside your heart, but it's not invasive and the doctors are very good at what they are doing, so people should not be scared." He continues, "The tragedy is that the deaths of so many young people from cardiac arrhythmia are preventable. The support CRY has from Philips will help us raise awareness and get more young people into the screening centres."

CRY was founded in May 1995 to raise awareness of - Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndrome (SADS). As well as campaigning and lobbying, CRY also provide a subsidised cardiac screening programme for young people (35 and under) and provide counselling support to bereaved families and individuals who may be diagnosed.

"Screening needs to be extended to many more young people," says Professor Greg Whyte, CRY Chairman and former Chairman of the British Olympic Associations Athletes' Commission. "Everyone is potentially at risk and the only accurate means of diagnosis is through an ECG test."

The sooner a patient is diagnosed; the quicker support can be offered to help manage any situation. Philips and CRY are working together to help more families. Philips are donating advanced medical equipment that will enable CRY to gain greater research results with their screenings whilst reaching more young people than ever before.

"We are honored to be supporting such an amazing charity. With our breakthrough imaging technology, we are committed to helping supply screening support for the doctors and specialists working with the young people and their families in the CRY program. We are proud of the human benefit that the Philips technology can bring, that is the real showcase of simplicity", said John Atwill, Managing Director, Philips Medical Systems.