According to preliminary assessments by on-site medical personnel, the man likely suffered from a pre-existing condition exacerbated by fatigue, which led to sudden cardiac death (SCD).
What is sudden cardiac death (SCD)? How severe are its consequences? How can we prevent it? With these questions in mind, we interviewed Professor Zheng Yin, Vice President of Hainan Chengmei Hospital and a renowned cardiovascular expert in Hainan.
What is Sudden Cardiac Death? How Severe Are Its Consequences?
Professor Zheng Yin explained that sudden cardiac death refers to the abrupt cessation of heart function, causing a sudden halt in blood circulation. It is a serious and acute cardiac event.
Data shows that the annual incidence rate of SCD among the general adult population is approximately 50 to 100 cases per 100,000 people.
What Are the Primary Causes of Sudden Cardiac Death?
1. Arrhythmia: Conditions such as ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia are the most common causes of SCD. These abnormal heart rhythms prevent the heart from beating normally, rendering it unable to pump blood effectively.
2. Coronary Artery Disease: Conditions like myocardial infarction can reduce blood supply to the heart, increasing the risk of arrhythmia.
3. Cardiomyopathy: Diseases such as dilated or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy cause abnormal heart structures, affecting its normal function.
4. Heart Valve Disease: Diseases like aortic valve stenosis or mitral valve prolapse can impair heart function and raise the risk of sudden death.
5. Genetic Factors: Certain hereditary conditions, such as long QT syndrome or Brugada syndrome, can also lead to SCD.
Research indicates that patients with myocardial infarction, heart failure, or other severe heart conditions have an annual SCD rate as high as 10% or more.
Individuals with a family history of heart disease or specific genetic mutations (such as long QT syndrome or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) are also at greater risk.
What Are the Risk Factors for Sudden Cardiac Death?
In addition to underlying heart conditions, factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia are closely linked to SCD. Atherosclerosis further increases the risk of SCD.High cholesterol levels can lead to atherosclerosis, elevating the risk of the disease. Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, and lack of exercise can also contribute to sudden death, as can severe emotional stress or anxiety, which can heighten the risk of heart disease.
How Can We Prevent Sudden Cardiac Death?
Sudden cardiac death causes approximately 5 million deaths globally each year, with 70%-80% of these deaths being heart-related.
SCD often occurs without warning symptoms, making it highly unpredictable and sudden. In the absence of medical intervention, the survival rate is typically less than 10%.
Prevention is better than cure. Professor Zheng emphasizes the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle, managing chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes, and receiving appropriate treatments. Conducting cardiovascular disease risk screening and assessment is one of the most necessary and effective measures for preventing SCD.
There are now several methods available for cardiovascular disease screening and assessment, such as CT angiography (CTA) and coronary digital subtraction angiography (DSA). However, these methods have drawbacks, including the burden of contrast agents and the risk of ionizing radiation, making them unsuitable for individuals with contrast allergies, severe liver or kidney dysfunction, or for pregnant women.
To address these limitations, Hainan Chengmei Hospital has pioneered the introduction of magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) for coronary arteries. This option caters to individuals who are concerned about the burden of contrast agents or the risks of ionizing radiation.
Professor Zheng advises that people with underlying heart conditions, chronic diseases, a family history of heart disease, or those engaged in strenuous physical activities should undergo regular cardiovascular risk screening and assessment. This enables the identification of risk factors and the implementation of effective preventive measures to avoid unexpected incidents.
Expert Information
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