When Elaine Lombard was diagnosed with heart disease she had no idea it could affect her family.

It was only when she read an article in The Argus a few days later she released the full implications of having hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Mrs Lombard, from Peacehaven, was horrified to learn the condition had genetic links and her children and grandchildren were at risk.

The Argus had told the story of Dean Bowden, then 15, from Selsey, who had been living with the condition for five years.

A keen footballer, Dean had to give up his dream of playing professionally because the condition meant he could have a heart attack at any time.

Dean inherited the condition from his father, who was diagnosed in his 30s.

The disease is the biggest single cause of sudden heart death of under 25s in the UK.

It affects the walls of the heart and as the muscles thicken, the flow of blood is impeded, which leads to a risk of heart attacks.

Sporty people who do regular exercise that builds up the heart muscles are particularly at risk.

Mrs Lombard said: "It was bad enough to know I had the heart condition but the chance it could run in the family was very worrying.

"I immediately got in contact with the rest of the family to urge them to get themselves checked out.

"This is a potentially life-threatening condition."

Mrs Lombard, a Peacehaven councillor, has been forced to give up playing badminton because of the illness.

When she was first diagnosed she knew very little about her condition.

However, after reading The Argus, she contacted the National Cardiomyopathy Association helpline number.

She said: "They were wonderful and very reassuring.

"It is a frightening feeling to be told you have a condition like this but I will not let it rule my life. It is just a matter of being careful."

The association is a registered charity, which supports those living with cardiomyopathy and their families.

For further information, call 0800 0181024.