Supporting Exeter’s hearts with charity information day

Claire Small
Authored by Claire Small
Posted Friday, April 20, 2018 - 10:13am

Residents in Exeter and the surrounding areas are invited to Cardiomyopathy UK’s awareness raising Information Day on Saturday 28th April 2018 at the Mercure Exeter Rougemount Hotel. .

The charity is encouraging people to come along and meet expert speakers as well as sharing their own life experiences with others affected by the condition.  Cardiomyopathy is a heart muscle disease and a main cause of sudden cardiac death. 

Cardiomyopathy affects more than 160,000 in the UK. Current estimates suggest that 1 in 500 people are affected, but actual prevalence is thought to be much higher. One in three people is initially misdiagnosed with early warning signs of the disease such as breathlessness, palpitations, and dizziness being mistaken for asthma or anxiety.   A recent campaign the charity launched showed 71% of people in the UK don't realise that a cause of sudden cardiac death is genetic and 54% are unaware of their family history of heart disease. Worryingly, 22% of people with cardiomyopathy in their family has never had a health check, and 20% of people with a family history of heart disease admit that they have never told their GP about it.

Joel Rose, Chief Executive at Cardiomyopathy UK said:” We are running sessions about the different types of cardiomyopathy and how the charity can help people in all aspects of life. There was a demand from patients, carers and families that we hold one in Exeter and surrounding areas so we hope this day will encourage people to attend and to feel reassurance about handling and living with their condition.”

Robert Hall, Cardiomyopathy UK Nurse will be running sessions, providing treatment advice and options and be on hand to support the public and their families who are coping with their diagnosis and managing the condition which can often run in families.

Ben Bradshaw, Labour MP for Exeter said: “These Information Days are a lifeline for families and are aimed at people who need support or are new to the condition. We hope that people become more aware of the symptoms of cardiomyopathy and for those diagnosed get the support they need they need to live their lives to the fullest.” 

The Information Day will take place on Saturday 28th April 2018 at the Mercure Exeter Rougemount Hotel. Queen Street, Exeter, EX4 3SP from 9:30am-4:30pm. The information day is £5 to attend, which will include refreshments and a sandwich lunch.

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