What is Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD)?

Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) refers to an unexpected death due to cardiovascular causes that occur within one hour of the onset of new or worsening symptoms.¹ As much as we would like to think that it is a major cause of mortality in the elderly only, it can also happen to any young person. In fact, it is also one of the major causes of death amongst many well-known competitive athletes and sports players who have been a huge loss to the sports industry. ²

What Are the Causes of Sudden Cardiac Death?

The usual cases of sudden cardiac deaths are due to abnormal heart rhythms.³ The rate and rhythm of your heartbeat is controlled by the heart’s electrical system. Should something go wrong, your heartbeat may be too fast, too slow or sometimes irregularly called arrhythmia.

What Are the Risk Factors Linked to Sudden Cardiac Death?

·         High blood pressure

·         Diabetes

·         History of coronary artery diseases

·         Previous episode of heart attack

·         Obesity

What Are the Preventive Measures for Sudden Cardiac Death?

·         Go for annual checkups especially when you have family history of cardiovascular diseases

·         Stay active by exercising regularly

·         Practice healthy diet avoiding foods that are high in cholesterols, sugars and fats

·         Watch your weight

·         Practice good habit of monitoring your blood pressure regularly at home

References:

1.       Summer, G. L., Kuriachan, V. P., & Mitchell, L. B. (2018). Sudden Cardiac Death. Encyclopedia of Cardiovascular Research and Medicine, 511-520. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-809657-4.99775-8

2.       Wasfy, M. M., Hutter, A. M., & Weiner, R. B. (2016, April – June). Sudden Cardiac Death in Athletes. Methodist Debakey Cardiovascular Journal, 12(2): 76-80. https://dx.doi.org/10.14797%2Fmdcj-12-2-76

3.       Yow, A. G., Rajasurya, V., & Sharma, S. (2021, May 7). Sudden Cardiac Death. StatPearls. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507854/