Cases of sudden cardiac death are on the rise
Sudden cardiac death is defined as natural death from cardiac causes heralded by abrupt loss of consciousness within 1 hour of the onset of an acute change in cardiovascular status. The estimated annual burden of sudden cardiac death would be in the range of 4-5 million cases per year. The cause of death is the result of sustained ventricular fibrillation or sustained ventricular tachycardia.
Exercises that involve hard workouts fall under the category of rigorous exercises, including running, cycling at 10 mph or faster, swimming, and jumping rope.Researchers have discovered convincing evidence that one of the main causes of heart attacks in thegym is high-intensity exercise.
The most common cause for sudden cardiac death is coronary artery disease. Acute coronary ischemia usually associated with plaque rupture and occlusion of one of major coronary arteries is more likely to result in polymorphic ventricular tachycardia.
Dr. Shridevi, Consultant Cardiologist, DPU Private Super Speciality Hospital, Pimpri, Pune says, “Another 10-15% occur in patients who have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy, arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, myocardial infiltrative disease like sarcoidosis, and amyloidosis. In the remaining 5-10% patients coronary anomalies, cyanotic and non-cyanotic congenital heart diseases, and rare genetic diseases such as Brugada syndrome, long Q1 syndrome, catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia are responsible for sudden cardiac arrest.”
Sudden cardiac death is defined as natural death from cardiac causes heralded by abrupt loss of consciousness within 1 hour of the onset of an acute change in cardiovascular status. The estimated annual burden of sudden cardiac death would be in the range of 4-5 million cases per year. The cause of death is the result of sustained ventricular fibrillation or sustained ventricular tachycardia.
Exercises that involve hard workouts fall under the category of rigorous exercises, including running, cycling at 10 mph or faster, swimming, and jumping rope.Researchers have discovered convincing evidence that one of the main causes of heart attacks in thegym is high-intensity exercise.
The most common cause for sudden cardiac death is coronary artery disease. Acute coronary ischemia usually associated with plaque rupture and occlusion of one of major coronary arteries is more likely to result in polymorphic ventricular tachycardia.
Dr. Shridevi, Consultant Cardiologist, DPU Private Super Speciality Hospital, Pimpri, Pune says, “Another 10-15% occur in patients who have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy, arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, myocardial infiltrative disease like sarcoidosis, and amyloidosis. In the remaining 5-10% patients coronary anomalies, cyanotic and non-cyanotic congenital heart diseases, and rare genetic diseases such as Brugada syndrome, long Q1 syndrome, catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia are responsible for sudden cardiac arrest.”
Warning signs and symptoms
- Unexplained, brief fainting episodes that occur with stress, physical activity, or loud noise.
- Seizures without a clear pathological EEG finding.
- Heart failure or pacemaker dependency before the age of 50 years.
- If there is a history of sudden cardiac arrest in a family all family members should undergo detailed cardiac examination and investigation as genetic diseases like Brugada, long QT syndrome, right ventricular cardiomyopathy run in families.
The takeaway
As coronary artery disease is responsible for 80% of sudden cardiac arrests, the risk factors for coronary artery disease should be identified and treated properly. If a person has a risk factor they should undergo cardiac evaluation with treadmill test and cardiac CT score evaluation.