Study: Many Sudden Cardiac Deaths in Young People Avoidable

[Amriteyo]

Sudden cardiac death by definition is unexpected, but a new study found that many cases show warning signs well in advance — suggesting that at least some of these deaths may be preventable. Nearly 90% cases of sudden cardiac death due to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in people under age 35 years are preceded by symptoms, abnormal electrocardiography, or a positive family history of heart disease, Swedish researchers reported September 14 in PLoS ONE.

[Arin]

@amriteyo The majority of young people dying from sudden cardiac death due to HCM present with one or more abnormalities may be recognized during cardiac screening. The analysis identified 38 cases of sudden cardiac death, including 31 men and seven women, with a median age of 22 years. Of those, 71% presented with possible cardiac symptoms, including chest pain and palpitations, before death, and 69% received medical care in the 180 days before death — compared with just 21% of controls receiving medical care in that time period. Nearly 40% had a known cardiac disorder prior to death and 50% had a positive family history of heart disease.