A two-minute cheek swab could help detect children who have a rare but potentially deadly heart condition, researchers suggest. Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is responsible for more than 10% of sudden cardiac deaths in youngsters, according to the British Heart Foundation (BHF).

The inherited condition means the proteins that usually hold the heart muscle together are abnormal. This defect causes the muscle cells to die and they are replaced by scar tissue and fatty cells.

Experts warn ACM has the "potential to develop and strike without warning". However, these protein abnormalities can be detected in the cheeks.

An early study, led by experts at City St George's, University of London, and Great Ormond Street Hospital, included 51 children from the age of three months to 18 with

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