A NEW body has been established to advise ministers on sudden adult cardiac death syndrome (Sads), a condition thought to lead to 400 deaths a year.

The new group will be led by national clinical director for heart disease Dr Roger Boyle, and will advise on and raise awareness of Sads and arrhythmia, a condition thought to affect 700,000 people in the UK alone.

Representatives from organisations such as Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) and the British Cardiac Society will also be invited to join.

The condition causes disturbances in the heart’s rhythm, which can range from mild to fatal.

“It is devastating for families when a young, apparently healthy person dies suddenly without warning,” said health minister Melanie Johnson.

“The majority of people with the underlying conditions do not have any symptoms for all or most of their life. However, the condition can lead to sudden or unexpected death, often in early adulthood.

“We’ve already shown our de-termination to tackle coronary heart disease through the publication of the national service framework. The creation of this group to advise future policy on arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death progresses this work further.

“The prospect of a new NSF chapter setting out the standards and models of care for these conditions marks a major step forwards for cardiac patients in England.”

The move followed the wide-spread parliamentary support of Labour MP for Stockton South, Dari Taylor’s, Cardiac Risk in the Young (Screening) private member’s bill, which was withdrawn in March in anticipation of the government’s an-announcement.