Compulsory heart screening not a good idea, says KCE

The results of the study, for which the KCE consulted all the available scientific literature, show that there is no convincing evidence that such a screening of 14- to 34-year-olds would effectively safe lives.

The screenings, according to KCD, are not accurate enough: At least 25% of people with an increased risk for sudden heart failure would be missed. At the same time, the agency said, compulsory screenings would result in many false positives, leading to unnecessary stress and medical exams.

The KCE has thus advised the government not to make heart screening compulsory in order to join sports club or to participate in organised sports events, as some politicians and medical professionals had proposed last year after a young man died of sudden heart failure during the Brussels 20k run. The run takes place this year on 31 May.

Such a measure, KCE also noted, would carry a considerable price tag. Approximately one million young people in Belgium are members of sports clubs or team. That means that one round of screenings would cost nearly €100 million.

Death from sudden heart failure during physical exertion is very rare in young people. In Belgium, there are fewer than 10 cases a year, three of which happen during a game.