At 9:50 pm yesterday (the 24th), the news of the death of "postgraduate entrance examination guru" Zhang Xuefeng was confirmed.
The company operated by Zhang Xuefeng released an obituary on its personal Weibo account @Teacher Zhang Xuefeng: Teacher Zhang Xuefeng passed away in Suzhou at 15:50 on March 24, 2026, due to sudden cardiac death, despite all efforts to resuscitate him.
The news swept across the internet, and while countless people were sighing with regret, they also fell into deep panic: how could someone who seemed so healthy just pass away so suddenly?
How dangerous is sudden cardiac death? How to prevent it? With these questions in mind, we interviewed Lin Xiaoming, the chief physician of the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine at Hainan Chengmei Hospital.
How dangerous is sudden cardiac death?
"Don't think that sudden cardiac death is exclusive to the elderly. Nowadays, it also severely affects young and middle-aged people!" Director Lin Xiaoming speaks frankly, directly breaking the public misconception.
In simple terms, sudden cardiac death refers to the sudden "shutdown" of the heart, leading to malignant arrhythmia and cardiac arrest. From the onset of discomfort to death, it often takes only a short hour, making it the "number one killer" among cardiovascular diseases. It is characterized by rapid onset, rapid progression, and extremely low success rate of rescue. Once the golden time is missed, it is almost impossible to turn back the tide.
Zhang Xuefeng's accident appeared to have occurred suddenly after running, but in fact, it was not the first time his physical condition had shown signs of distress.
In June 2023, he was forcibly admitted to the hospital due to excessive fatigue, chest tightness, and palpitations. At that time, he posted on social media: "Due to excessive fatigue, chest tightness, and palpitations, I went to the hospital emergency department at night... I was detained by the hospital and had to be hospitalized for observation."
Many young and middle-aged people may appear healthy, but in fact, their hearts have long been in a state of "sub-optimal health" or even "operating with underlying diseases", they just haven't noticed it.
Don't ignore these distress signals
Drawing on decades of clinical experience, Director Lin Xiaoming identified the most common triggering factors among young and middle-aged people today, each of which resonates with the daily lives of most people:
Long-term staying up late + excessive fatigue: working overtime and staying up late in a continuous cycle, the mind is constantly tense, and the heart muscle never gets a rest. When ischemia and hypoxia reach their limits, a breakdown can occur at any time;
Sudden intense exercise: For those who are usually sedentary and barely exercise, engaging in high-intensity running or fitness on a whim can put an overwhelming burden on the heart, which simply cannot withstand such a sudden increase in workload;
Emotions fluctuate wildly: anxiety and irritability, stress pent up inside, and blood pressure and heart rate soaring with every outburst of anger and urgency, directly triggering cardiac emergencies;
Ignoring latent heart diseases: High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and early-stage coronary heart disease often present no symptoms, leading to a lack of physical examination and control. This neglect deepens the underlying issues;
Smoking and drinking constantly + indulging in unhealthy eating and drinking: high oil, high salt, heavy flavors, drinking and smoking every meal, leading to increasingly clogged blood vessels and an overloaded heart.
The "life-saving signal" of the heart, seek medical attention immediately if one appears
I often feel chest tightness and shortness of breath at the slightest activity, which only eases after a short rest. I also experience unexplained dizziness, blackouts, and general fatigue, making even walking a tiring task. My shoulders, back, and chin ache, accompanied by nausea and cold sweat. The pain is not soreness but crushing. I suddenly wake up from sleep with a racing heartbeat, which takes a long time to slow down.
Sticking to these five things can help avoid risks
Compared to rescuing after an accident, prevention is the absolute principle. Director Lin Xiaoming gave five most practical suggestions to all young and middle-aged people who are working under high pressure:
1. Stop staying up late: Get at least 7-8 hours of sleep every day. Don't sacrifice your health for career advancement. If your heart breaks down, everything else is meaningless;
2. Don't push yourself too hard during exercise: Take regular walks, jogs, and swims, progressing gradually. Stop when you feel tired, and never exercise when you are sick or fatigued;
3. Regular physical examination: Get your electrocardiogram, cardiac color Doppler ultrasound, blood pressure, blood lipids, and blood glucose checked. If you have a family history or are in a high-pressure occupation, consider additional coronary artery screening to avoid regretting it when something goes wrong;
4. Don't bottle up stress: Learn to relax, reduce anger and anxiety, and don't keep negative emotions bottled up inside;
5. Keep your mouth shut and your legs moving: quit smoking and limit alcohol intake, eat less takeout food high in oil and salt, control your weight, and "reduce the burden" on your blood vessels and heart.
Friendly reminder: If you experience discomfort such as chest tightness, palpitations, or chest pain, do not delay seeking medical attention. You can visit Hainan Chengmei Hospital at any time. Our professional team at Hainan Chengmei Hospital is dedicated to safeguarding your heart health throughout the process. Early screening and intervention are crucial to avoiding the risk of sudden death.
Expert Introduction
Lin Xiaoming, Chief Physician
Director of Cardiovascular Medicine
Medical expertise
Skilled in the diagnosis and management of common and complex cardiovascular diseases, emergency treatment of critical illnesses, conventional coronary artery intervention techniques, emergency coronary angiography and stent implantation for acute myocardial infarction, and implanting cardiac pacemakers.