A FAMILY face an anxious wait to see if they have the same disease that killed a 37-year-old mother-of-two.

Tracey Ann Smith, of Idstone Close, Highercroft, Blackburn, was found dead in her bed by her partner Martin Shorrock, 38.

She had not complained of being unwell and the night before had been "having a laugh" with family looking at old photographs.

An inquest heard that Tracey, who worked in a cafe in Blackburn town centre, had a narrowing of the coronary artery which a pathologist described as "highly unusual" in a woman of that age.

And now her daughter, Leah, 17, and two brothers are to undergo ECG screenings next week to see if they are affected.

Pathologist Dr Naomi Carter recommended the move as she said the checks needed to be carried out to ensure it was not an hereditary fault.

Martin said it the thought that more family members might be affected was like a "timebomb" and that they were all worried.

The inquest was told that Tracey's coronary artery was blocked by up to 80 per cent and that the "furring" of the artery could have caused irregular heart rhythms at any time.

Martin said that the hardest thing to take was that Tracey, who also leaves a son, Danny, 19, had not showed any symptoms.

He said: "Her death came as a massive shock to everyone.

"She was fine one minute up talking and having a laugh, looking at old photographs the night before.

"So for her to suddenly being found dead in her bed is anyone's worst nightmare.

"It's like there's a big void in our lives now which can't be filled.

"Our daughter is now having to be fully tested having heart scans and ECG screenings to make sure she isn't suffering from the same disorder."

If the problem is found in other family members, it can be controlled by diet.

But her daughter Leah said it "was a horrible feeling" to think she might have the same condition, but that she would rather know so she could do something about it.

Leah, a student, said: "We all miss her so much. She was such a happy-go-lucky kind of person and never had a wrong word to say about anybody. We can't stop thinking if we'd have known about the condition that she would still be here today.

"She was a cracking mum to not only me and Danny, but she looked after dad as well. She did everything in the house and we're all having to adapt and realise just how much she did."

The inquest was told that Tracey had a "lipsid disorder".

It was revealed in the post mortem examination after Tracey was found dead on June 17.

The tests also revealed a blood alcohol level three and a quarter times the legal driving limit and the presence of amphetamine.

Dr Carter said both could have an affect on the heart and it was possible they could have played a part in Tracey's death, but that the coronary artery disease was more likely to have caused death.

Coroner Michael Singleton recorded a verdict of death by natural causes.