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Cardiac Arrest in Young Age — What Causes It, and How to Avoid Sudden Cardiac Death
Cardiac arrest is the sudden cessation of a heartbeat or the heart's ability to pump blood throughout the body.

Christian Eriksen's abrupt fall on the field during the opening half of Denmark's match versus Finland at the Euro 2020 soccer tournament on June 12, 2021, shocked millions worldwide. The Danish midfielder appeared strong, fit, and in excellent spirits; he was probably the last person you would anticipate suffering a heart arrest. He, fortunately, obtained cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) promptly, saving his life.

abrupt cardiac arrest in a child

Although uncommon, a sudden cardiac arrest does occasionally occur in young persons. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sudden cardiac arrest claims the lives of roughly 2,000 young, otherwise healthy people under 25 every year in the US. Younger folks are experiencing an alarming increase in heart attacks and cardiac arrests. Medical professionals at Fortis Hospital, Mulund, discuss what can cause cardiac arrest in young people and what can be done to prevent sudden cardiac death.

A cardiac arrest is what?

Cardiac arrest is the sudden cessation of a heartbeat or the heart's ability to pump blood throughout the body. Typically, there is no advance notice. A person who experiences a cardiac arrest will suddenly pass out, lose consciousness, and not be breathing at all. Some warning signs to look out for include unexplained fainting, chest pain or shortness of breath, and a family history of cardiac arrest. If a cardiac arrest is not treated quickly, it might result in death.

cardiac arrest caused in young adults

The reasons for cardiac arrest typically change with age. Most cardiac arrests in adults over 35 are brought on by coronary artery disease. The causes of cardiac arrest in young persons can vary. Young adults may experience cardiac arrest due to a variety of conditions, such as:

  1. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy 

A complex form of cardiac disease in which the heart muscle thickens excessively.

2. Disturbed coronary arteries

Some people have improperly linked coronary arteries from birth, which can reduce blood flow to the heart muscle during activity and lead to cardiac arrest.

3. Long QT syndrome 

Fast and erratic heartbeats can result from this inherited heart rhythm problem.