Young Student’s Sudden Death from Rare Heart Condition

Introduction to the Tragedy

What a complete shock.
Two years ago, a 20-year-old student at the University of Cambridge collapsed and died without any warning signs while hiking in southern France — and now her family is doing everything possible to prevent others from experiencing this same type of unexpected tragedy.

Clarissa Nicholls was described as a healthy and energetic young woman. Cambridge University

The Rare Heart Condition

Clarissa Nicholls had arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, or ACM, a rare heart condition that occurs when the heart muscle is replaced by both scar and fat. ACM caused the student’s heart to go into cardiac arrest.
Nicholls was described by her mother to the Times as a “supremely active, one of the fittest and healthiest and energetic girls you would have ever met,” so her passing was a complete shock to anyone who knew her.
The scary part is that she didn’t have any symptoms and with routine screenings, there’s a possibility this could’ve been prevented.

The Risks and Prevention

It’s believed that these types of heart conditions often go undiagnosed and can be made worse by strenuous exercise.
Hilary and Simon Nicholls holding their daughter’s Cambridge University certificate. Cambridge University
Following the 20-year-old’s passing, the Nicholls family and friends, Izzy Winter and Jess Reeve set up a campaign to prevent this from happening to others, especially young people, since one in every 250 people is affected by this little-known condition.

The Campaign’s Impact

Over £100,000 (over $133,000) was raised for Clarissa’s Campaign, which allows young students at Cambridge to get routine heart screenings, which are provided by the charity CRY — Cardiac Risk in the Young.
Thanks to the campaign, over 400 students have been screened so far, with 42 having to go for further testing.
“These are the first screenings that I’ve been a part of and everyone who’s come along has been so appreciative,” Nicholls’ mother said. Cambridge University
“Cambridge has been brilliant in supporting this and I believe there is the will to keep the momentum going,” Nicholls’ mother said in a recent press release.

The Importance of Heart Health

As alarming and unfortunate as Nicholls’ story is, research shows that by age 17, most people’s heart health scores start to decline.
“I frequently care for people in their early 20s who are entering adulthood and are already facing serious cardiovascular risk factors such as elevated blood pressure, high blood sugar or a body mass index in the obesity range,” Dr. Jewel Scott, a primary care nurse practitioner, wrote in The Conversation.
And something many don’t realize is that heart health can easily decline during one’s childhood.
“Most children are born healthy, but unfortunately much of the benefit of heart health is lost during childhood, and currently less than 5% of US children enjoy ideal cardiovascular health,” Dr. David Jacobs, a professor of public health at the University of Minnesota, said in a statement.
Lifestyle choices like lack of exercise, using cigarettes, vapes or other nicotine products, diet and excessive drinking all contribute to poor heart health, especially in young people.

Conclusion

The sudden death of Clarissa Nicholls is a tragic reminder of the importance of heart health, especially in young people. Her family’s campaign to raise awareness and provide routine heart screenings has already made a significant impact, and it is crucial that we continue to prioritize heart health to prevent such tragedies from happening in the future.

FAQs

Q: What is arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM)?
A: ACM is a rare heart condition that occurs when the heart muscle is replaced by both scar and fat, leading to cardiac arrest.
Q: How common is ACM?
A: One in every 250 people is affected by this little-known condition.
Q: Can ACM be prevented?
A: While there is no guaranteed way to prevent ACM, routine heart screenings can help detect the condition early on, and lifestyle choices such as regular exercise, a healthy diet, and avoiding nicotine products can contribute to overall heart health.
Q: How can I get involved in raising awareness about heart health?
A: You can support organizations like CRY — Cardiac Risk in the Young, and participate in campaigns like Clarissa’s Campaign to provide routine heart screenings for young people.