The Department of Health has been urged to set up a working group to look at whether young people, at risk of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS), should be identified and told.
The president of the Order of Malta in Ireland, Judge Peter Smithwick, made the call yesterday.
Judge Smithwick, who is also president of the District Court, said the working group could look at two issues, including whether those at risk of SADS should be made aware of their vulnerability. "I think they should consider this. Obviously some people are vulnerable. It may well be that checks might show it up beforehand," he said.
Furthermore, he said the group could look at whether more people should be trained to use external defibrillators, which are very effective in resuscitating people who suffer cardiac arrest, in local communities. The group should also look at whether there should be greater availability of defibrillators.
"We have now become much more aware of defibrillators and how good they are. The success rate is tremendous with them. They literally save lives.
"We should look at whether they should be available in every fire station, or similar places like that," he added.
The Order of Malta has been providing defibrillators at major public events, and last September saved a man who suffered a cardiac arrest at the National Ploughing Championships.
Other organisations like CROÍ, the West of Ireland Cardiology Foundation, has also been funding the installation of defibrillators in local communities and training local people to use them.
The Department of Health working group should look at co-ordinating these efforts, Judge Smithwick suggested.
The sudden deaths of a number of prominent sportsmen recently, including the captain of the Tyrone football team, Mr Cormac McAnallen, has highlighted the risk of SADS and the need for immediate access to defibrillator machines.