Two years prior, a sudden tragedy struck when a 20-year-old University of Cambridge student, Clarissa Nicholls, unexpectedly passed away during a hiking trip in southern France. Nicholls, known for her vibrant health and energy, was a victim of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM), a rare heart condition where the heart muscle is replaced by scar and fat tissue, leading to cardiac arrest.
Nicholls’ mother described her to the Times as an extremely active and healthy young woman, making her sudden death a shock to all who knew her. The most alarming aspect of this tragedy was the absence of any symptoms, suggesting that routine screenings could have potentially prevented her untimely death.
ACM and similar heart conditions often go undiagnosed and can be exacerbated by strenuous physical activity. Following Nicholls’ passing, her family and friends, Izzy Winter and Jess Reeve, initiated a campaign to raise awareness and prevent similar incidents, especially among young people. This is particularly important as one in every 250 individuals is affected by this relatively unknown condition.
The campaign, named Clarissa’s Campaign, successfully raised over £100,000 (approximately $133,000). The funds are used to provide routine heart screenings for young students at Cambridge, facilitated by the charity CRY — Cardiac Risk in the Young. The campaign has already screened over 400 students, with 42 requiring further testing.
Nicholls’ mother expressed her gratitude for the support received from Cambridge and her hope to maintain the momentum of the campaign. While Nicholls’ story is distressing, it highlights the importance of heart health, which research shows begins to decline by age 17.
Dr. Jewel Scott, a primary care nurse practitioner, emphasized the prevalence of serious cardiovascular risk factors among young adults in their early 20s. Furthermore, Dr. David Jacobs, a professor of public health at the University of Minnesota, pointed out that heart health can deteriorate during childhood, with less than 5% of US children currently enjoying ideal cardiovascular health.
Lifestyle choices such as lack of exercise, nicotine use, poor diet, and excessive alcohol consumption all contribute to poor heart health, especially among young people.