Is sudden death so unexpected?

At present, 80% of sudden cardiac arrest occurs in people of middle or advanced age since they usually have previous coronary disease and suddenly suffer an arrhythmia (electrical disturbance of the heart rhythm) that causes a collapse, with loss of consciousness that is fatal if the patient does not receive immediate resuscitation.

In a study conducted in Los Angeles, California, with data from 839 patients, mostly men of 53 years of age who suffered sudden death in the US, confirmed in their medical records through information from relatives that 50% of these patients had suffered some symptom before sudden cardiac arrest.

The main symptom was chest pain between 30 days and 24 hours before. While 70% had intermittent angor, less frequent symptoms in women.

Only 5% of women had dyspnea, tachycardia, or previous syncope.

The incidence is 60 cases of sudden death over 100,000 inhabitants.

Potentially lost years of life are estimated between 1 and 2 million years of active life potential, due to premature death due to cardiac arrest, which outweighs all cancers as a whole.

In Argentina, between 40,000 and 50,000 people die each year from sudden death.

As there is a previous symptomatology between 30 days and 24 hours. Before, if the patient consults, the risk factors are identified and they can reduce these alarming figures of deaths.

Conclusions:

? Early consultation with the cardiologist on the aforementioned symptoms, which can often refer to the left arm or back.

? Diabetic and obese people - with fat accumulated in the abdominal area. Sedentary, they are more likely to suffer Sudden Death.

? To the whole community; teach CPR maneuvers (schools, clubs, religious communities, etc.). If they can recover the pulse within 4 minutes, there is a possibility of 75 to 80% recovery.

? For every minute that is lost there is 10% more failure and increases the possibility of brain damage.

? To the health authorities, to offer training in crowded areas with cardio-defibrillator and cardiologist, since the ambulance usually takes not less than 7 minutes.

Bibliography:

Annals of internal medicine.

Heart Institute Cedars Sinai Los Angeles, California.

Argentine Society of Cardiology