According to the Cardiac Risk in the Young website, an estimated 12 people under 35 die from undiagnosed heart conditions each week. The term SDS encompasses a multitude of problems that can affect the hearts of young people. The most common abnormal heart rhythm is atrial fibrillation which causes an irregular heartbeat. 

Badminton playing teenagers, Doug Furze and Emma Skingsley have recently discovered they have very similar heart conditions which, if undetected could be fatal. 

Doug (aged 18) suffers from diabetes and has always been cautious of his sugar and insulin levels when playing badminton. He became aware of SDS and decided to be tested himself just to be sure there was nothing wrong with his heart. Doug and his family had amazingly made the right decision, as it was discovered Doug had Wolf Parkinson Syndrome. This is a rare cause of SDS which stems from an additional electrical connection between the upper and lower connection of the heart. 

The likelihood of Doug’s condition reduces with age and is so rare it affects less than 2 people in every 1,000. He has recently undergone more tests and will take whatever action in September to improve his condition. Doug’s badminton career has not been a smooth one as in 2007 he also suffered a broken wrist. However he is a determined player reaching Grade 1 in the under 17 category and still hopes to play at a high level in the future. 

Mixed and doubles player Emma Skingsley (aged 17) was diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat after she fainted last October during a training session. Her parents took her to her local doctor where she was told to have an Electrocardigram (ECG). This is used to measure heart rhythm and electrical activity of the heart during a set period (usually 24 hours). After a series of tests, it was confirmed on New Years Eve (2008), Emma’s pathway in her heart was life threatening and that she must have an operation to correct the problem. In February 2009 she underwent a five hour operation known as Radio Frequency Ablation in Barts hospital. However two weeks later she suffered very high heart palpitations and needed more tests. 

Emma’s passion for badminton didn’t dwindle during this time and even though she couldn’t play, nothing could stop her attending the Yonex All England Championships this year. A day after the Championships Emma was on the operating table once more for two more operations to close the pathways that were causing problems. 

Much to Emma and her family’s relief, on 2nd May doctors told her that her heart is back to normal and she can once again enjoy playing badminton. Throughout the ordeal, Emma always said that to stop playing badminton was simply out of the question. 

Both players are coached by former world class player Nora Perry. She commented, “Emma Skingsley and Douglas Furze have been attending sessions with me for over 5 years. Emma's condition came to light when she experienced a recovery problem at the end of a session.  As this was not normal, her parents took the correct decision in having her checked out. It was then her condition was first discovered. Doug had no symptoms at any stage of my sessions but I was always conscious of his diabetes.”

BADMINTON England are glad Emma is now doing well and hope that Doug will soon have similar news.  To learn more about the CRY’s ‘Save Our Athletes’ project please click here.  For more information about ECG’s please click here.