The families of people who died of sudden heart-related illnesses at a young age need checking for heart disease, researchers warned today.
A Danish study has set out to put numbers on the risk faced by these relatives.
Writing in the European Heart Journal, they report massively increased risks for relatives under the age of 35.
This includes a ten-fold increase in heart rhythm and heart muscle damage problems.
In total their risk of developing heart disease was increased by three times.
British campaigners said the findings reflected long-standing concerns.
The findings come from a study of 470 people who died from sudden cardiac death before the age of 35. Their relatives were studied for up to 11 years.
Researcher Dr Mattis Flyvholm Ranthe, of Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark, said: "If sudden cardiac death has genetic causes then this would suggest that relatives of young sudden cardiac death victims are at greater risk of heart disease than the general population and would benefit from screening to identify those at risk so that they could be given appropriate preventive treatment.
"This could save a significant number of lives."
He added: "Our results show sudden cardiac death, or the underlying heart problems, has a large hereditary component, and that relatives, particularly young, first-degree relatives, are at much greater risk of developing heart conditions compared with the general population.
"Family members of young victims should be offered comprehensive and systematic screening, with the focus on the youngest and nearest relatives."
Doireann Maddock, of the British Heart Foundation, said the findings were "no surprise".
She said: “Screening the family members of sudden cardiac death victims is crucial, as it gives the best chance of identifying problems and offering treatment at an early stage.
"That’s why we’ve been working with the Department of Health for many years to encourage coroners and their offices to help families to access essential genetic services."
Risk of cardiovascular disease in family members of young sudden cardiac death victims. European Heart Journal November 14 2012; doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehs350.
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