Updates Regarding Prediction and Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death

Abstract

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) remains a major public health problem globally, especially in the United States causing more than 300,000 deaths annually. SCD from cardiac arrest is the most common cause of death worldwide, accounting for >50% of all deaths from cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and it is characterized by unexpected collapse due to an underlying cardiovascular cause. The condition usually results from an electrical disturbance in the heart that disrupts its pumping action, stopping blood flow to the body. When the heart stops, the lack of oxygenated blood can causes death or permanent brain damage within minutes. Time is extremely critical when someone or a clinician is helping an unconscious person who is not breathing. SCD represents a major challenge for the clinician because most episodes occur in individuals without previously known cardiac disease. Hence, an early prediction of individuals at risk of SCD is the holly-grail of all physicians. Because most individuals experiencing SCD currently are not identifiable as being at high risk, community-based public access to defibrillation programs is essential to save lives and more so to improve neurological and functional outcomes for cardiac arrest victims. In order to prevent SCD, it is imperative to impose an aggressive management of cardiovascular risk factors, including performing exercise regularly, educating patients about the dangers of CVDs, promoting a healthy diet, restricting consumption of sugar, saturated fat, salt and smoking cessation to promote a heart healthy behavior to all, young children in particular. Finally, a preclinical prediction of patients at risk of SCD and early detection of the disease is crucial for early intervention and definitely will reduce the incidence of sudden cardiac death dramatically.