The news of Clarissa Nicholls’s death shocked everyone who knew her. Clarissa was a 20‑year‑old student at the University of Cambridge who went hiking in southern France. She collapsed suddenly and died during a routine trek—no warning signs at all.
Investigators later found she had arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM), a rare heart disease in which scarred and fatty tissue replaces healthy muscle. ACM can trigger a sudden heart attack (cardiac arrest) even in fitter people. Clarissa’s mom described her as “super active, fit and energetic.” Her passing was a complete shock to friends, family, and the university community.
Symptoms of ACM are almost always silent, which means many people live with the condition undetected. Undiagnosed heart problems can worsen with intense exercise, making sudden death more likely.
After Clarissa’s death, her parents, Hilary and Simon, teamed up with friends Izzy Winter and Jess Reeve to launch the Clarissa Campaign. Their goal is to stop other young people from experiencing the same tragedy. The team raised more than £100,000 (about $133,000) to power free routine heart screenings for Cambridge students through the charity CRY – Cardiac Risk in the Young.
Since the campaign began, over 400 Cambridge students have been screened, and 42 of them were sent for further testing. Clarissa’s mother said, “Cambridge has been brilliant in supporting this, and I believe there is the will to keep the momentum going.”
The campaign’s success shows how early detection can save lives. Experts say most people’s heart health slips after the teen years. Research indicates that by age 17, heart health scores can start to drop. Dr. Jewel Scott, a primary‑care nurse practitioner, notes that many people in their early 20s already face serious cardiovascular risks, including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and obesity.
Children too can see a decline in heart health. Dr. David Jacobs, a public‑health professor at the University of Minnesota, says less than 5% of U.S. children enjoy ideal cardiovascular health. Lifestyle factors—poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking, vaping, and heavy drinking—are major contributors, especially in young people.
Clarissa’s story underscores how critical early screening and healthy habits are. The Clarissa Campaign’s screenings might help prevent future tragedies by detecting silent heart diseases before they can strike.
Source: New York Post
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