What causes cardiac arrest in young adults?

The recently reported death of Tamil and Hindi tv actor, 25 year old Pawan, has raised the question upon the increasing number of deaths due to cardiac arrest among young people. Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) can strike even the youngest and seemingly healthiest among us. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that every year in the US, close to 2,000 people under the age of 25 pass away from sudden cardiac arrest. As per the World Health Organisation (WHO), close to 18 million people die due to cardiovascular diseases every year out of which maximum deaths occur due to cardiac arrest.

Imagine a heart abruptly halting its pumping rhythm, or ceasing to beat entirely, that's cardiac arrest. With no forewarning, the individual collapses, loses consciousness, and ceases to breathe normally. Clues such as unexplained fainting, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, or a family history of cardiac arrest could serve as potential red flags.

The origins of cardiac arrest vary by age. Unlike their older counterparts, young adults face distinct risk factors:
1. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: A perplexing heart ailment that thickens the heart muscle.
2. Coronary Artery Abnormalities: In some cases, individuals are born with misconnected coronary arteries, leading to compromised blood supply during physical exertion.
3. Long QT Syndrome: An inherited disruption of heart rhythm, sparking rapid and erratic heartbeats.
4. Brugada Syndrome: A genetic anomaly that disrupts the heart's natural rhythm. Additional culprits encompass structural heart irregularities and inflammation of the heart muscle.
5. Lifestyle factors: Smoking, drugs, and drinking too much alcohol all raise the risk of sudden cardiac arrest in young adults.
6. Heart disease: SCA risk is higher in those with heart illness, particularly those who have had a history of heart attack, heart failure, or arrhythmias.
7. Exercise: Intense exercise that pushes the heart beyond its aerobic range increases the risk of sudden cardiac arrest in adolescents and young adults.
8. Other health issues: Diabetes, hypertension, and coronary artery disease are a few health issues that can raise the risk of sudden cardiac arrest in young adults.

According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), there are certain symptoms that an individual will experience during the hour before cardiac arrest. But there remains little evidence to show that every person who goes under cardiac arrest will have these symptoms. The symptoms as mentioned by NHLBI could include: Shortness of breath, Fatigue, Back pain, Flu-like symptoms, Belly pain, nausea, and vomiting, Chest pain, Dizziness or fainting, and Racing heartbeat.

There are some lifestyle and heredity factors that may make an individual more likely to undergo a sudden cardiac arrest. Although, without having any of the risk factors some people experience cardiac arrest. According to a report available on John Hopkins website, the risk factors include: Alcohol or drug abuse, any history of heart disease or cardiac arrest in the family, if the person is already affected by a heart disease, a patient of high blood pressure, higher levels of cholesterol can also be dangerous, Obesity and or Smoking.

You can take these measures to help prevent any chance of Cardiac Arrest.

Read also: Early signs of diabetes in women and how to reverse it naturally​

Though cases of cardiac arrest are being seen among young adults, there is still a gap in the knowledge around this disease. Cardiac arrest has always been seen as an old age problem and young people do not pay attention to the early signs. Heavy indulgence in smoking, alcohol consumption and having lots of processed foods makes them prone to this condition. Health life style, regular medical checkups after 25 and paying attention to subtle warning signs are few steps to prevent cardiac arrest.