I AM sure it’s not the norm for men to have two ultrasounds in their lives, and certainly not by the age of 23.

But after attending Knutsford Community First Responders Trust’s cardiac screening day on Saturday, I now belong to that elusive category.

The first came after a kidney injury picked up playing football three years ago – at least I know that I wasn’t pregnant then, and I’m not now.

Obviously, ultrasounds serve a far wider purpose than baby scans, and hearing my own heart pumping blood was a strange sensation. Happily, after an electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiogram (ECHO), I got the all clear from the cardiologist at Knutsford Methodist Church.

This was only the second of KCFRT’s screening days – the newest service offered by the trust – run by the heart charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), where almost 100 young people were screened.

The day affords people aged between 14 and 35 the chance to have an electrocardiogram without paying a penny – the trust raises around £5,000 to put on each session.

If the ECG picks up any discrepancies or anomalies, as in my case, an ECHO is offered to investigate further and, if necessary, patients are referred to doctors for more tests at a later date.

Adrian Rees, a first responder volunteer, said: “We had been looking at extending the service we offer to the community for a number of years. One of our team’s brothers actually died of a sudden cardiac arrest and raised the idea that this was something we could get involved in.

“We contacted CRY and decided that this was undoubtedly the right thing for us, and that as long as we can afford it we should put it on annually for the people who are most at risk from heart conditions.”

CRY statistics from their mobile screening days, held across the country, show that around four in every 100 people screened are sent for further tests.

While I was in the waiting room, stewing over whether I would be one of them, a video played on a loop showing the story of footballer Fabrice Muamba, and a netball player knocking on England’s door who suddenly died of an undiagnosed heart problem.

The screening days offered by KCFRT and CRY are a free and easy way to secure treatment, or simply peace of mind. A campaign is ongoing to introduce proactive screening, backed by mayor Greater Manchester Andy Burnham among others.

Every week in the UK, at least 12 apparently fit and healthy young people die of undiagnosed heart conditions.

KCFRT chairman Sal Thompson said: "We were able to screen 98 young folks. Of the 102 signed up 16 did not turn up, but stalwart work on the doors and Facebook resulted in another 12 walk-ins.

“We also had conversations with many hundred locals outside the church and handed out our Heartstart Leaflets, and it helped to raise our profile in the community.”

While the no-shows are a frustration for the team, with the money generously donated by the public, they were pleased to be able to bring the figure back up towards 100 screenings.

The screening day on July 1 was the first of two scheduled for 2017.

Email adrianrees@heartstartknutsford.co.uk to book your free test at the Saturday, September 23 screening event.