The family of a young Irish woman who died suddenly while sleeping shares her devastation and warns others of a terrifying condition that affects young adults.
Catherine Keane was a 31-year-old healthy person who died unexpectedly while sleeping last July, from a condition known as Sudden Adult Death Syndrome or Arrhythmic Sudden Death Syndrome (SADS).
The condition is an “umbrella term to describe unexpected deaths in young people”, usually under the age of 40, when an autopsy cannot find an obvious cause of death, according to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP).
Watch the latest news on Channel 7 or play it for free on 7plus >>
Although it is unknown how many people die from this disease worldwide each year, a Victorian record released two years ago suggests that it kills about 750 young people in this state each year.
If you want to see this content, adjust your cookie settings.
For more information on how we use cookies, see our Cookie Guide.
The Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute in Melbourne hopes to expand the registration nationwide.
Meanwhile, members of Catherine’s family are sharing her story in the hope that others will be screened for SADS if there is a family history of heart disease.
Catherine’s mother, Margherita Cummins, said her roommates found her daughter last year in Dublin.
“He lived with two friends at Rathmines in Dublin, and they all worked from home, so no one paid attention to him when he wasn’t coming down for breakfast,” he told the Irish Mirror.
“They sent him a text message at 11:20 a.m. and when he did not respond, they checked his room and found that it had happened. Her friend heard a noise in her room at 3.56 in the morning and she thinks that was when she died. “
Catherine died suddenly while sleeping at the age of 31. Credit: Facebook
Cummins added that Catherine was doing well in her job and was very healthy before her death.
“He worked for an advertising company and he was doing very well. I went to the gym and I did 10,000 steps every day, “he said.
Cummins then shared his struggle and said there were so many reminders of his daughter every day.
“I try to look at something positive to make it happen, but there are a lot of reminders everywhere,” he said.
“I am comforted because he slept and did not experience any pain, and I am grateful for that. I have always cared about the children driving in the car, but I never saw him coming. I never thought I would lose a child in my life.” .
Another family has also opened up about their grief after their 19-year-old son died of SADS in April last year.
Liam, who is described as a “vibrant, fit and healthy young man”, died suddenly of the disease, leaving his family devastated.
“Nothing could have prepared us for what happened that day on April 2 or what potentially awaited us,” her mother Adele Doherty wrote on a fundraising page.
“This became our journey into many unknown waters, learning the depths of SADS, trying to understand and process everything.”
Liam was 19 when he died unexpectedly. Credit: Just GivingLiam was described as a “vibrant, fit and healthy young man”. Credit: Just Giving
Early prevention is an “important step”
Although national figures are not available, the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute in Melbourne has a Victorian record of figures, which they hope to make national.
Dr. Elizabeth Paratz, a cardiologist and researcher at the Institute, told 7NEWS.com.au that the numbers had remained constant over the years.
“On our record, there are approximately 750 cases per year of people under the age of 50 in Victoria whose heart suddenly stops,” he said.
“Of these, about 100 young people a year will find no cause even after extensive research such as a complete autopsy.”
Paratz explained that the figures had remained tragically constant over the years.
“This has always been a really tragic thing and we haven’t seen a big change in the numbers in the last few years,” he said.
“It simply came to our notice then.
“So if you have a family history, it’s a good idea to do a screening.”
The RACGP has guidelines that recommend that those who may be at risk be monitored.
He said any first-degree relative of a person with a genetic arrhythmogenic disorder has a 50% higher risk of developing the disease.
The RACGP says the following people are at risk:
- Any first-degree relative with sudden unexplained heart death under the age of 40
- Episodes of unexplained syncope (fainting)
- Syncope or seizures during exercise, arousal or startle.
A medically reviewed report on the US site Healthline said most people did not know they had the syndrome until a cardiac arrest occurred.
“Because SDS is often misdiagnosed or undiagnosed at all, it’s not clear how many people have it,” the report said.
He said that although there was no known cure for the disease, an early diagnosis was an important step in preventing a fatal episode.