Wakefield MP in Arrhythmia Awareness Campaign

The tragic deaths of Wakefield Wildcats players Adam Watene and Leon Walker shocked the whole community. 31 year old Adam Watene died of a heart attack and the death of 20 year old Leon Walker is still unexplained.  Wakefield MP Mary Creagh is backing a campaign to educate people about the dangers of an irregular heartbeat. 

The campaign encourages people to get regular pulse checks to help early diagnosis and treatment of cardiac and heart rhythm disorders. Cardiac arrhythmia - abnormal electrical activity in the heart which affects the way the heart beats - is the number one killer in the UK. More than 2 million people in the UK (diagnosed and undiagnosed) have an arrhythmia and it affects people of any age. Untreated, some arrhythmias can lead to sudden cardiac arrest, stroke and loss of consciousness.  

Mary Creagh, MP for Wakefield said: "We've all seen the consequences of heart rhythm disorders in young people through the tragic sudden deaths of Wakefield Trinity's Adam Watene and Leon Walker. The whole community was deeply shocked and upset by the deaths of these young men."

"Early identification of heart rhythm disorders is crucial in reducing the number of premature deaths. If this campaign can help diagnose and treat arrhythmia in one person then it is a job well done. I encourage all Wakefield residents to learn how to check their pulse accurately and regularly, and to talk to their GP if they are concerned."