A recent study published in The Lancet Digital Health journal revealed that half of individuals who experience cardiac arrest actually experience a warning symptom 24 hours prior to the incident. Researchers from the Smidt Heart Institute at the Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles found that the warning symptoms differed between men and women. For women, the main symptom was shortness of breath, while for men, it was chest pain. Sweating and seizure-like activity were observed in smaller subgroups of both genders.
Sudden cardiac arrest outside of a hospital has a mortality rate of 90%, underscoring the importance of recognizing early warning signs. Dr. Sumeet Chugh, director of the Center for Cardiac Arrest Prevention at the Smidt Heart Institute, believes that utilizing these warning symptoms for effective triage and early intervention could potentially prevent imminent death. Chugh is the senior author of the study, which analyzed data from the Prediction of Sudden Death in Multi-Ethnic Communities (PRESTO) study in Ventura County, California, and the Oregon Sudden Unexpected Death study (SUDS) in Portland, Oregon.
The PRESTO study found that 50% of the 823 individuals who experienced sudden cardiac arrest had at least one warning symptom before the incident, while the SUDS study showed similar results. Dr. Eduardo Marbán, executive director of the Smidt Heart Institute, stresses the importance of early intervention in improving outcomes for these patients. The study’s findings pave the way for further research in predicting imminent sudden cardiac arrest.
Dr. Allen Jeremias, associate director of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at the St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center, emphasizes that identifying sex-specific differences in heart symptoms can contribute to early detection and prevention. The study highlights that heart-related symptoms may manifest differently in men and women and that medical practitioners should educate patients about these differences. Jeremias also notes that managing risk factors, such as family history, smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle, is crucial for heart health and prevention.
In summary, recognizing and understanding warning symptoms for cardiac arrest can potentially save lives. Early intervention, along with a comprehensive approach in evaluating patients, can make a significant difference in outcomes. By educating individuals about sex-specific differences in heart symptoms and managing risk factors, healthcare professionals and patients can work together to prevent sudden cardiac death.
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