A resident doctor at the Essex Cardiothoracic Centre in Basildon, Essex, has won a national prize for his research into heart muscle disease. Dr. Andrew Madu received the ‘Best Oral Presentation Award’ in February 2026 for his work identifying genetic causes that put people at risk of potentially life-threatening inherited heart conditions.
The award was presented at the annual conference of the British Inherited Cardiac Conditions Society. Dr. Madu’s study found that almost one in every five patients had a specific genetic cause for their heart condition, which helps doctors predict risks for other family members.
According to the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, timely genetic testing is vital to prevent cardiac events. Dr. Madu emphasized that identifying these markers early allows medical teams to find at-risk relatives who may need preventative care and monitoring.
The specialist heart service in Basildon has already treated more than 1,400 patients and performed over 650 genetic tests. This local expertise means residents can get advanced medical checks without needing to travel into London for specialist appointments.
Dr. Madu noted that limited access to these tests can often delay a diagnosis. By expanding genetic screening, the hospital aims to protect more families from inherited heart conditions through earlier detection and treatment.
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