TEEN’S FAULTY HEART VALVE HELL Halloween fright could kill my girl
Cops are a bunch of clowns
A TEENAGER with a rare heart condition is dreading Halloween because a scare could kill her.
Caitlin Beck, 16, even has to avoid watching TV at this time of year in case a frightening film or advert comes on.
She must also steer clear of rowdy revellers in fancy dress in case one jumps out in front of her.
Caitlin has a bicuspid aortic heart valve, a condition which can cause the organ to fail.
And any sort of shock or fright could trigger a heart attack.
Mum Jo, a 44-year-old charity worker, said: “It’s very difficult all year round but Halloween can be particularly tricky.
“We’re going to be careful about trick or treating – people jumping out of the shadows in fancy dress could give anyone a serious fright, let alone Caitlin.
“Even scary movies could be a problem because anything that can shock her can cause heart problems.
“I’m hoping that nothing too scary will be going on.”
Caitlin’s condition was diagnosed when she had appendicitis in July last year.
During routine tests at Derby Royal Hospital, doctors discovered she had an irregular heart beat and she was eventually diagnosed with a bicuspid aortic valve.
This means that part of her valve is fused together, which affects the blood flow to her heart and makes the organ pump faster.
Jo said: “She’s had to change a lot in her life since she was diagnosed.
“She can’t do anything that could cause an infection as it could affect her heart.”
Doctors said Caitlin was probably born with the condition.
In many cases sufferers do not realise they have it until it’s too late.
Jo went on: “In a strange way, having appendicitis has saved Caitlin’s life.
“Her doctors said that often people who have it die suddenly because they have no idea that they have it.
“At least with Caitlin we know and she can make necessary life choices to look after herself and her heart, plus she gets regular check-ups.”
The teenager has been given a long list of things she is not allowed to do. An infection could have serious implications so she cannot have a tattoo or body piercings and must not neglect her teeth.
She has to avoid becoming overweight because this would put too much stress on the valve.
Contact sports are also out as a fall or knock could cause complications.
Jo added: “Caitlin had wanted to get a tattoo when she turned 18 but now that’s off the list. She was disappointed but she understands it’s for her own good.
“She is actually far more positive than I am. Just after she was diagnosed, I saw an episode of Silent Witness where a woman had some moles removed from her body. She got an infection and then died of an undiagnosed bicuspid valve.
“It showed me the enormity of what could happen, so I keep such a close eye on my daughter.
“I try not to be too paranoid because she does see doctors regularly but, as her mum, it’s hard.
“I am grateful it was discovered and that she is healthy, slim and looks after herself. She is an inspiration because she takes it all in her stride and deals with it with courage and the determination to lead as normal a life as possible.” CHARLIE YATES BOBBIES clown around for the camera – just as their force issues a warning anyone wearing “killer clown” outfits could be arrested.
The serving and retired Greater Manchester Police officers shared a beer in a bar before leaving for a foreign jaunt.
But their fancy dress party kicked off as the craze for people dressing as sinister clowns to scare people swept the nation.
GMP said anyone wearing clown costumes could be subject to arrest for fear of menacing the public. A source said: “The boys scored a real own goal. “In their defence they hired their outfits and went off on their jaunt to Lisbon unaware the force was planning a clampdown.”
A GMP insider, who knows some of the officers, told us: “They’ll be horrified at the coincidence of their fancy dress and the US clown craze sweeping the UK ahead of Halloween.”
A spokeswoman for Greater Manchester Police said people who lawfully dressed up in fancy dress costumes to have fun were not an issue for the police.