The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) has opened a public consultation on evidence relating to screening for cardiac conditions associated with sudden cardiac death in young people.
Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is one of the topics the committee reviews regularly for evidence relating to population screening.
Evidence maps are typically the first step in the UK NSC process of reviewing evidence. They are rapid evidence products that provide an evaluation of the volume and type of evidence on a given screening topic.
We are asking individuals and organisations to provide feedback on the findings and conclusions of a 2025 evidence map on screening for cardiac conditions associated with SCD in young people. The evidence map was commissioned to review literature on the topic published since the last evidence review in 2019.
About sudden cardiac death
SCD is a sudden and unexpected death caused by a problem with the heart. In young individuals, SCD is often due to a genetic disorder affecting the heart. Although SCD in young people is rare, it is an important health problem due to its severity.
The latest evidence
The 2025 evidence map identified the following new evidence published since 2019:
4 systematic reviews and 17 cohort studies on the incidence of SCD in young people 4 systematic reviews and 47 cohort studies on the accuracy of screening tests to identify conditions associated with SCD 1 systematic review and 1 meta-analysis on the effectiveness of screening and interventionWhile there was a significant volume of evidence published on incidence and test accuracy, the findings are broadly consistent with previous UK NSC reviews. There is limited evidence on whether screening prevents SCD. The only systematic review identified judged the evidence to be inconclusive and of very low quality.
The 2025 evidence map concludes that the volume and type of new evidence related to screening for cardiac conditions associated with SCD in young people is currently insufficient to justify more in-depth work in the form of an evidence summary. It recommends that the topic should be reconsidered in 3 years’ time. If in the interim period new evidence becomes available that is likely to have a significant effect on the recommendation, this evidence can be submitted via the UK NSC’s open call for topics.
How to respond
To take part in the consultation, download the consultation documents by clicking on the grey ‘View documents’ button on the UK NSC’s Sudden cardiac death recommendation page. Then submit your response by clicking on the green ‘Submit comments’ button.
The deadline for responses is 11.59pm BST on Monday 31 August 2026.
The UK NSC will review and consider the responses after the consultation closes. The committee then agrees a recommendation at a UK NSC meeting. It publishes meeting minutes including the recommendation around 6 weeks later.
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seen at 10:10, 8 June in UK National Screening Committee.