World Heart Rhythm Day – Wednesday June 13th 2007

Wednesday, June 13, 2007 has been designated as World Heart Rhythm Day, to raise awareness of life-threatening heart rhythm conditions.

According to Dr Chris Semsarian, Group Head of Molecular Cardiology at the Centenary Institute located at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney, “Education is the key message we need to get across on World Heart Rhythm Day.” Some life-threatening heart rhythm conditions cause sudden collapse in an otherwise fit and healthy young person with little or no warning. Collapse can occur during or after exercise, while driving or even when asleep. A seizure may follow due to lack of blood flow to the brain. “Conditions such as long QT syndrome and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can strike down apparently fit and healthy young people” says Dr Semsarian. “It’s so important to recognise these conditions early, because effective treatments are available.” Dr Semsarian and his team specialise in genetic heart conditions such as these, and run an active clinical and research programme. People who have a family history of sudden cardiac death in young people (meaning usually less than 40 years old) should be especially wary of suddenly collapsing themselves. Dr Semsarian says “Anyone at all concerned about their heart health should consult their GP, who can if need be refer them to a cardiologist for a thorough investigation.” Centenary Institute researchers have now contributed to the identification of over 40 different forms of cardiac disease, each linked to ‘killer’ genes. Their work to discover what triggers the heart to malfunction in people with these abnormal genes is undertaken in the hope that new treatments can be used to stop the problems from developing early on. A national inherited heart disease registry for Australia has been established at the Centenary Institute, with over 500 families now assisting Chris and his research team in their quest to discover new genetic tests for heart disease. Genetic testing of families with a history of sudden cardiac death can help save valuable lives of unsuspecting individuals. Patients on the register have been identified as being at risk of sudden cardiac failure, with their immediate family members tested to discover if they too have inherited the same genetic disorder. Dr Semsarian is also the Australian chair of TRAGADY (Trans-Tasman Response AGAinst Sudden Death in the Young), a group recently formed to fight and prevent young sudden death from heart rhythm problems. TRAGADY is a multidisciplinary group consisting of researchers, clinicians and lay representatives.”TRAGADY is unusual in a number of ways” says Dr Semsarian, “Firstly, the agenda is wide open, all that matters is whatever we do, we do it to try to reduce young sudden death. This includes research, best clinical practice documents, education, and campaigning for resources; we are not confined to one specialty area. Secondly, it has representatives from around Australia as well as New Zealand. Thirdly, it is independent of the usual professional bodies dealing with health issues, allowing greater freedom in how it can act. Finally, from the clinician’s perspective, having family members present keeps the group grounded and focused.” On World Heart Rhythm Day, Dr Semsarian says we should “celebrate Australian researchers’ collective expertise as well as the many advances made in the diagnosis and treatment of sudden cardiac death. There are many lives that have already been saved, yet we must continue to educate and campaign for adequate resources to help the thousands of others with heart rhythm problems.” World Heart Rhythm Day is coordinated by Arrhythmia Alliance and will be commemorated across the globe. For more information, or to arrange an interview with Dr Semsarian or with a participant in the inherited heart disease registry, please contact: Associate Professor Chris SemsarianAssociate Professor, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, AustraliaMolecular Cardiologist, Royal PrinceAlfredHospital, Sydney, AustraliaHead, Agnes Ginges Institute for Molecular Cardiology, Centenary Institute, Australia c.semsarian@centenary.org.auPhone: 02 9565 6195 (Source: Centenary Institute : June 2007)