Sudden cardiac death (SCD) mostly occurs outside the hospital, in people who have not recently faced serious health problems. It is caused by a heart rhythm disturbance and happens within a few seconds to an hour (some definitions use 24 hours).
How often does it occur?
More often among men and in countries where coronary heart disease (CHD) is widespread
It is more common between 6 a.m. and 12 noon, in the cold months of the year (December, January), in working people and under the influence of stress
In 80% of cases it occurs in people with abnormal coronary arteries
Chronic heart failure is one of the causes
Heart muscle diseases accompanied by enlargement of the heart are a risk factor
Uncontrolled use of certain medications that disrupt heart rhythm is a risk factor
The endogenous causes are as follows:
The endogenous causes are as follows:
Cardiomyopathies. Found in 14.4% of cases. Seen with diabetes, thyrotoxicosis and chronic alcoholism
The condition occurs with structural damage to the heart's conduction system. Conduction disorders account for 23.3% of all cardiac deaths
Information on this site is general and does not replace an examination by a doctor.