Mother Raises Awareness After Cambridge Student's Sudden Death from Hidden Heart Condition

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Two years ago, Clarissa Nicholls, a 20-year-old University of Cambridge student, tragically lost her life while hiking in southern France. Her mother has since dedicated herself to raising awareness about the rare heart condition that claimed her daughter's life.

"Clarissa had absolutely no symptoms," Hilary Nicholls, her mother, explained to The Times. "She was supremely active, one of the fittest, healthiest and most energetic girls you would have ever met. She was the last person anyone would have suspected of having a heart problem."

In 2023, Clarissa died from arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM), a lesser-known heart condition. Since then, her mother has made it her mission to educate others about this disease. The family launched "Clarissa's Campaign" to emphasize the importance of routine heart screenings.

The campaign's primary goal is to identify similar cases where symptoms may not be apparent. To date, it has successfully raised over £100,000 (approximately $133,000) to fund heart screenings for Cambridge students. According to reports, more than 400 students have undergone heart screenings through the campaign, with 42 individuals requiring additional testing.

"I will do whatever I can to prevent what has happened to my family happening to others," Hilary stated. The campaign serves as a powerful reminder of the critical importance of heart health awareness and how early intervention can potentially save lives.

Hilary acknowledged the university's support in a recent press release, saying, "Cambridge has been brilliant in supporting this and I believe there is the will to keep the momentum going."

Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a condition that weakens the heart wall. In this rare cardiac disorder, heart muscle tissue is replaced by scar tissue and fat, which can lead to cardiac arrest.

Reports indicate that one in every 250 people may have a genetic heart condition, affecting approximately 260,000 individuals in the UK and 32 million worldwide.

According to the American Heart Association Journals, ACM is an inherited heart muscle disorder that predisposes individuals to sudden cardiac death, particularly affecting young patients and athletes.