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A 20-year-old University of Cambridge student seemed perfectly healthy, never knowing he was living with a silent heart condition that would ultimately claim his life. Her sudden passing has left his family devastated, searching for answers, and now determined to raise awareness so others can be protected from the same hidden danger. Two years ago, while hiking in southern France, Clarissa Nicholls collapsed and died suddenly, New York Post reported. Later, doctors discovered that she had arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM), a rare heart condition where healthy heart muscle is gradually replaced by scar and fat tissue. This condition can lead to cardiac arrest, especially during intense physical activity. Unseen Heart Risk Clarissa’s mother described her to The Times as “supremely active, one of the fittest and healthiest and energetic girls you would have ever met.” Her death was a shock to everyone who knew her because there had been no warning signs at all. The family later learned that ACM often goes undiagnosed and can be worsened by strenuous exercise. Doctors say that even routine heart screenings can sometimes detect such conditions early. But in many cases, young people don’t undergo these tests unless they already have symptoms or a family history of heart problems. Turning Loss Into Awareness After her death, Clarissa’s family and two of her friends, Izzy Winter and Jess Reeve, decided to take action. They created Clarissa’s Campaign, an initiative aimed at preventing similar tragedies among young people. The campaign works closely with the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) to offer free heart screenings for Cambridge students. According to the report, the campaign has raised over £100,000 (more than Rs 1 crore) so far. More than 400 students have been screened so far and 42 of them were referred for further testing. Clarissa’s mother shared in a recent press release, “Cambridge has been brilliant in supporting this and I believe there is the will to keep the momentum going.” The Bigger Concern Clarissa’s story is not an isolated one. Experts say that declining heart health in young people is becoming increasingly common. The report citing research mentioned that by age 17, most people’s heart health scores start to drop. “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,” wrote Dr Jewel Scott, a primary care nurse practitioner, in The Conversation. Specialists warn that lifestyle habits play a major role in weakening heart health early in life. Lack of physical activity, poor diet, excessive alcohol consumption and the use of cigarettes, vapes, or other nicotine products can all contribute.
