A TERRIFIED mum who fears her children could die from a fatal heart defect has been made to wait more than two months for an ECG scan.

Ruby Adams contacted Worcester Royal Infirmary four weeks ago after the boys' father, Ellis Curran, died suddenly of an undiagnosed, enlarged heart muscle.

But hospital chiefs told her she would have to wait a further four weeks for an appointment to test the three and five-year-olds for the hereditary condition.

"I was so upset when I got the letter I was almost hysterical," said Ms Adams, who has lost more than a stone in weight since her 28-year-old fiancee's inquest.

"Between now and when they get an appointment, there's nothing to say I won't lose one of my children," the 37-year-old said.

The condition, known as Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, is an enlarged or swollen heart muscle and is a major cause of unexpected cardiac death in the young.

Known as Sudden Death Syndrome, it claims the lives of an estimated four young people in Britain every week.

"As soon as they're clear, they're fine," said Ms Adams, of Sycamore Road, Tunnel Hill.

"But it's the waiting that's so awful.

"The four weeks since the inquest have been absolutely hell. I just want to get this out the way so I can move on."

Mr Curran died in his fiancee's arms on Sunday, January 28, as the couple lay in bed. He had not been feeling unwell and showed no symptoms to suggest otherwise.

At his inquest, the coroner recorded a verdict of death by natural causes.

But Joy Powell, who set up the Worcester branch of Cardiac Risk in the Young, CRY, after her best friend's 20-year-old son died, said there was "nothing natural" about young people dropping dead from heart attacks.

"It only takes three minutes to save a life," she said.

CRY campaigns for ECG testing for all youngsters. At the moment it is only given to those whose families have a history of the condition.

Janet-Marie Clark, spokeswoman for the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said health bosses sympathised with Ms Adams.

"We suggest that she contacts the communications officer at the trust in order to take the matter forward," she said.