Sudden Cardiac Death & Young People

Some results of the first study to examine trends in sudden cardiac death among the young.

• The yearly death totals from sudden cardiac death for teens and young adults climbed from 2,719 in 1989 to 3,000 in 1996-- a jump of about 10 percent.

• 23,320 individuals aged 15-34 died of sudden cardiac arrest between 1989 and 1996. Of those people, 71 percent were men, 29 percent were women.

• Though the rate was twice as high among men than women, the numbers reflect a 30 percent increase among young females.

  "Unfortunately, we can't explain why there is a large increase in sudden cardiac death among this age group of young women," says the study's lead researcher. "However, combined with the findings of our previous study in an older group of women, we think this trend is real."

• 21 percent of the deaths were among persons aged 15-24. 79 percent of the deaths were among persons aged 25-34.

• 36 percent of the victims suffered from ischemic heart disease (blood supply restricted to heart). 34 percent had arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) or cardiomyopathy (deterioration of the heart muscle).

• Researchers point out that sudden cardiac death is relatively rare in the young, and often preventable through medical screening and lifestyle choices.