A mum and son duo with a rare heart condition are backing a new awareness campaign ahead of Heart Month in February.
Suzanne Algeo, 39, from Ayr, and her young son Zachary both have long QT syndrome (LQTS) and are living proof of the benefits of research into heart and circulatory diseases.
The pair have been keen fundraisers for the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and are once again showing their support for BHF’s new campaign ‘This is Science’, which is calling for the public’s support to power science that could lead to new treatments and cures for all heart and circulatory diseases.
Suzanne recognises the importance of research and testing, after genetic testing confirmed she had inherited LQTS, a rare condition which can cause abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) due to electrical disturbances in the heart.
Suzanne’s grandmother had been diagnosed with LQTS in later life. And when her son Zachary was born in 2020, Suzanne knew there was a 50 per cent chance he too would inherit the faulty gene.
She said: “I am so grateful for all of the research carried out by the BHF, as I know how much having a heart condition can weigh on your everyday life.
“Knowing that research is continually being carried out gives me the hope that maybe in Zachary’s lifetime something will be discovered that means long QT is no longer a big deal.
“This would not only impact Zachary, but his children, and their children.
“My gran was diagnosed later in life when there wasn’t as much research available.
“Thankfully it is much more recognised now, and we are so thankful for genetic testing that made it possible to identify the type of LQTS I had, and to forewarn us that there was a chance that Zachary would also have it.”
Suzanne was just days before her 30th birthday when she was diagnosed with the condition, which affects up to 1 in 2,000 people in Scotland.
Some people experience no symptoms at all, but others may have palpitations – which Suzanne experienced – faint or collapse. In some cases, LQTS can lead to a dangerous heart rhythm and can cause sudden death.
Suzanne’s experience and treatment has led her to fundraise for the BHF, and in March last year she took on a 100km running and walking challenge, raising £2,000 for life saving research.
Her and Zachary are now on a mission to raise as much awareness as possible and are urging others to get behind the ‘This is Science’ campaign.
She said: “Zachary and I are living proof of the benefits of medical research and that is why the work of the BHF is so important to us. It gives us so much hope for the future.
“And when it comes to research, every penny really does count.
“The BHF team are so committed and supportive that they make fundraising for them an absolute joy, and I would strongly recommend that if you are able, please do what you can.
“By doing so, you are helping so many people, just like Zachary and I, and we are so very, very grateful.”
James Jopling, Head of BHF Scotland, said: “Heart and circulatory diseases cause heartache on every street in Scotland and nearly 50 deaths each day.
“With your help, we are determined to do all we can to save and improve lives.
“Your donations will power the science to help find the breakthroughs, treatments and cures of the future.
“For more than 60 years, your support has helped the BHF turn research that once seemed like ‘science fiction’ into reality and we need your help now more than ever.”
To find out more about the BHF’s campaign, visit https://www.bhf.org.uk/this-is-science
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