Young people will be tested next weekend to see if they might have undiagnosed heart problems.

Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) will be screening youngsters at Noble’s Hospital on April 28 and 29.

Aound 400 young people, aged between 14 and 35, will be tested.

Experts from the CRY team will return to the island thanks to donations made in memory of Craig Lunt.

Craig - a talented footballer - died in April 2005 from a condition known as Long QT syndrome. He was 25 years old.

Long QT syndrome is a disorder of the electrical system of the heart and one of a range of conditions that cause unexplained sudden death in a young person.

Craig’s Heartstrong Foundation has worked with CRY since 2007. As well as holding screenings, the foundation also provides defibrillator machines within schools, sports clubs and offices across the island and is now providing public access defibrillators island-wide.

Craig’s mother and the founder of Craig’s Heartstrong Foundation, Paula Lunt, said; ’As a family, we are hoping that by funding our 12th year of screening - through Craig’s Heartstrong Foundation - we will continue to raise awareness and prevent another family from going through the same heartache and loss that we went through.’

More than 300 young people who have attended past screenings funded by Craig’s Heartstrong Foundation have been referred for further investigations.

An ECG (electrocardiogram) test - the diagnostic test that underpins CRY’s screening programme - is a simple way to identify the vast majority of abnormalities that can cause sudden deaths in young people.

The test is quick, non-invasive and, if necessary, a further echocardiogram (ultrasound scan of the heart) can be taken on the same day to provide further clarity or reassurance.

The chief executive of CRY, Dr Steven Cox, said: ’The death of a young person is devastating for any family.

’It is therefore essential that anyone with a potentially fatal heart condition knows about it.

’Without this knowledge and, if necessary, appropriate treatment, they could be putting their lives at risk as in 80% of cases there are no signs or symptoms.

’We began screening young people over 20 years ago and I am so proud that we are now testing around 27,000 young people, aged 14 to 35 annually - largely thanks to the fundraising efforts of families such as the Craig Heartstrong Foundation. But we still believe screening needs to be extended to all young people.

’Although screening will not identify all those at risk, in Italy, where screening is mandatory for all young people engaged in organised sport, the incidence of young sudden cardiac death has been reduced by 90%.’

Find more information about CRY @ www.c-r-y.org.uk

Any person aged 14 to 35 can register for a free cardiac screening online. Visit www.testmyheart.org