Life Threats: What Causes Cardiac Arrest in Young People?
When young, people are full of vitality, physical strength and endless energy. Nevertheless, sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) might abruptly halt this vitality for some young people. This heart-wrenching event strikes without warning, where the heart unexpectedly ceases to function, leading to immediate loss of consciousness and, even worse, death if not treated immediately.
While sudden cardiac arrest is typically associated with older folks, younger people are becoming more and more susceptible to it. According to the CDC, about 2,000 occurrences of cardiac arrest in young adults are documented in the US each year.
You can read this post to learn about the causes, signs, and prevention of sudden cardiac arrest in young people to mitigate this silent threat.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest: What is It?
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is the condition wherein an individual’s heart suddenly halts its pumping rhythm or ceases to beat. The affected individual is rendered unconscious, passes out, and ceases to breathe. Sudden cardiac arrest can also be fatal if appropriate treatment is delayed.
How Sudden Cardiac Arrest is Causes in Young Folks?
The SCA in young folks can be caused because of a variety of reasons, most commonly underlying cardiac problems that may not be discovered until it is too late. Moreover, while not all causes of sudden cardiac death in young adults are not known, some primary ones include:
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM): Usually inherited, this genetic condition is characterised by abnormal heart muscle thickening. It’s among the most common cardiovascular causes of SCA in young individuals. Thickened heart muscles can further interfere with your heart's electrical system, causing an irregular heart rhythm and, eventually, cardiac arrest.
- Congenital Heart Defects: A specific percentage of young people are born with structural heart problems, which increases their risk of sudden cardiac arrest. These defects might include anomalies in the heart valves, walls, or blood vessels that can interfere with normal heart function.
- Coronary Artery Abnormalities: There could be defects in how the coronary arteries connect to a person’s heart, leading to decreased blood supply to his heart muscle when exercising and, ultimately, cardiac arrest.
- Primary Arrhythmias: Abnormal heart rhythms, such as long QT Syndrome, Brugada syndrome, and Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, can trigger sudden cardiac arrest. These conditions affect the heart's electrical impulses, causing the heart to beat erratically or stop altogether.
- Myocarditis: often caused by bacterial, parasite, fungal, or allergic infections, myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart walls. Myocarditis can damage the heart’s electrical system, leading to arrhythmias and potentially SCA.
- Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia (ARVD): This is an inherited condition wherein some of your heart’s muscle tissue is replaced with scar tissue.
- Commotio Cordis: This occurs when a blunt impact to the chest disrupts the heart's rhythm. If the affected person does not receive quick medical attention, commotio cordis may be fatal. Furthermore, those who engage in high-intensity sports are at a higher risk of developing commotio cordis.
- Marfan Syndrome: It’s a connective tissue disease that can lead to tears in the aortic blood vessel of an individual’s heart.
What Cardiac Arrest Symptoms Young People Should Look Out For?
Although sudden cardiac arrest frequently occurs without warning, there occasionally can be mild signs. The most reliable predictor of potential risk for having an SCA is a previous episode of sudden cardiac arrest. The most common cardiac arrest symptoms individuals experience before actually having an SCA are often associated with abnormal heart rhythms. These symptoms usually include:
- A heavy, fast, or fluttering heartbeat, called palpitations
- Chest pain or discomfort, especially with activity
- Fainting or dizziness
- Seizure
- Shortness of breath
- Excessive fatigue or weakness
- Swelling in the body’s lower part
How Can You Prevent Sudden Cardiac Arrest?
While it's not always possible to prevent sudden cardiac arrest in young adults, most of the time, it can be greatly decreased or even completely avoided with early diagnosis and aggressive management. However, it relies on individuals being aware of their underlying heart abnormalities or risk for the same and receiving appropriate treatment.
Here discussed are some preventative practices that can lower young people's risk of sudden cardiac arrest:
- Regular Medical Check-Ups: Routine physical examinations, including heart screenings, especially for those with a family history of heart conditions, can help detect the risk of sudden cardiac arrest early.
- Being Aware of Symptoms: Young people, parents, coaches, and teachers should know about the warning signs of heart problems, particularly cardiac arrest. Immediate medical attention for symptoms like chest pain, fainting, or palpitations can help save a person’s life.
- Electrocardiograms (ECGs): For young athletes and individuals with a family history of heart disease, periodic ECGs are recommended to identify abnormal heart rhythms that might not be evident through symptoms alone.
- Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD): In case a young individual previously had a sudden cardiac arrest, doctors might place an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) to help prevent further episodes.
- Emergency Preparedness: It’s a good idea for schools, sports facilities, public places, and other places frequented by young people to have automated external defibrillators (AEDs) readily available. Training staff and students who know the use of CPR and AED can help save lives in the event of sudden cardiac arrest.
- Live a Heart-Healthy Life: One of the best things you can do to preserve your general cardiovascular health and lower the risk of sudden cardiac arrest is to live a heart-healthy lifestyle . All you need to do is maintain a balanced diet, do exercises regularly, manage your daily stress, and abstain from alcohol, tobacco, and drugs.
Final Takeaway
Young people experiencing sudden cardiac arrest is a terrible and frequently unanticipated event that has a long-lasting effect on families and communities. By identifying the root causes, warning signs, and taking preventative action, you can protect yourself from this silent threat.
