Sudden Cardiac Deaths in Young Population Below 40 Yrs

Dr. Narendra Palan

Site Occupational Health Physician. B.A.S.F India Ltd

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Sudden cardiac death is an unexpected death caused by a sudden stop of heart function.

Prevalence:

World: SCD Age group 1 to 39 yrs. : 5.5 per 100, 000.

Black males: SCD 16.5 per 100, 000.

White females SCD: 2.4 per 100, 000.

Black male basketball players, 25 in 100,000.

Studies reveal in Denmark SCD incidence 2.3 per 100,000 (1 yr.to 35) and 21.7 per 100, 000 (36 yrs to 49 yrs.). Czech CH republic 80% SCD during everyday activities or sleep, 7% Sports related SCDS. The most common cause CAD 38%, Cardiomyopathies 15% and arrhythmiya death syndrome 7%.

India: SCD-5 to 6 lakh deaths annually.

In young individuals, SCD is often caused by hidden heart conditions such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (a thickening of heart muscle which affect 1 in 500 people worldwide is diagnosed by 2D Echo), dilated cardiomyopathy, a problem with the heart rhythm, long QT syndrome (a condition that affects the hearts electrical system diagnosed by ECG).

In some cases, SCD may happen during intense physical activity or during sudden emotional stress.

Drug use- steroids, stimulants, psychotropic drugs, asthma medication, undiagnosed heart infections or even congenital heart defects can be the cause. Many of them remain unnoticed (no symptoms) until it is too late.

Contributing factors: sedentary behavior, poor dietary habits, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, inadequate deep sleep etc. Also stress and work-life imbalance, genetic predisposition and probably post COVID 19 complications.

Warning signs; fainting during exercise, chest pain, unexplained convulsions or a family history of sudden death.

Prevention: Healthy lifestyle, Early detection, regular checkups including ECG, 2 D Echo, take medical help early in case of any symptoms and not ignoring them, training everybody about CPR and AED usage, stopping drug abuse, stress management. Install AEDs in GYMS, campuses and public places.

Before going to GYM, Marathon, trekking etc. compulsory heath checkup including heart evaluation - ECG, 2D Echo and TMT by a cardiologist.