A mass population screening programme for sudden cardiac death (SCD) has been ruled out by a Government taskforce, but risk assessment for those involved in exercise or sports is recommended.
The taskforce was set up after a number of sudden deaths among young sportsmen, including the Co Tyrone footballer Cormac McAnallen.
About 4,000 to 5,000 people die suddenly of natural causes each year, principally due to heart disease. Of these, fewer than 40 occur in the under-40s.
The report states there is insufficient evidence to support the implementation of mass population screening.
The tests were not sufficiently sensitive or specific for such a wide screening. The low yield and substantial number of false positive tests would lead to large numbers of young people being needlessly excluded from participating in physical activity and sports, it says.
"The long-term negative effects of labelling a young person as 'too high risk' to participate in sporting activity should not be underestimated," it adds.
However, there is a role for risk assessment for those involved in exercise or sports, the report recommends.
It considers that a screening questionnaire about personal and family history offers the best likelihood of identifying high-risk individuals while minimising the adverse effects associated with risk assessment.
Introducing the report, Minister for Health Mary Harney said it was the second anniversary of the death of Cormac McAnallen and recalled the huge impact it had on people.
"Tragically, each year a small number of our young people lose their lives to sudden cardiac death. While all sudden death is traumatic, the loss of a young person in these circumstances is particularly distressing. The work of the taskforce on SCD has concentrated on examining the causes and devising a strategy to reduce the number of these sudden deaths," she said.
The HSE would now be tasked with ensuring that the report's recommendations were implemented, Ms Harney said.
Dr Brian Maurer, the taskforce's chairman, said it was high-profile deaths in young people which made the most emotional impact on people.
The report recommends those with a history of heart problems or other major illness should speak to their doctor before starting an exercise programme. Pursuits such as walking and swimming do not require formal pre-participation assessment.
Those over 14 years who wish to join a sports club, gym or sports facility, but are not involved at national, provincial or county level, should be offered a pre-participation questionnaire. Those engaged in non-club recreational activity should be encouraged to self-administer a questionnaire.
A national education campaign to raise awareness of the symptoms that indicate increased risk of SCD should be implemented. In cases of SCD in those under 40, initial assessment of close family members should be made by a GP.