Findings presented at the annual meeting of the American Heart Association (AHA) showed that men are at greater risk for sudden cardiac death. Here are a few statistics on the study:

• Men age 40 and over have a one in eight chance of suffering sudden cardiac death, and the risk is even higher for African-American men

• Among the 300,000 annual cases, 3,000 to 5,000 occur among children, adolescents, and young adults. In contrast to older people, such cases are typically inherited.

• People with risk factors for heart disease — such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking cigarettes – are at significantly increased risk of sudden cardiac death.

Another interesting finding is that the risk of sudden cardiac death actually decreases as we get older.
For the full findings in the study, visit the news section of NorthShore University HealthSystem.

Sudden cardiac death (SCD–also called sudden arrest) is death resulting from an abrupt loss of heart function (cardiac arrest). Do you know the facts and statistics surrounding SCD? Read more