Health
Recently, there are rising cases of sudden deaths among young persons and this development calls for regular medical checks and the knowledge of family medical history can be useful in tackling this medical issue, according medical experts.
By Anthony Isibor
THE worrisome rise in the number of deaths of young people in Nigeria and globally has been associated with sudden cardiac arrest as one of its leading causes by some medical experts.
Although there have been several reports of sudden collapse leading to deaths of young adults. The death of Costa Titch, a South African rapper, who suddenly collapsed on stage in front of a horrified audience while performing at the Ultra Music Festival at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg in March is a recent international case. Costa Titch, whose real name was Constantinos Tsobanoglou, died in the hospital after stumbling and then appearing to lose consciousness while performing. He was only 28 years.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, about 2,000 young, seemingly healthy people under the age of 25 in the United States die each year of sudden cardiac arrest. These deaths leave behind a huge and devastating impact on families and communities. But there are ways to help identify risk factors that can help prevent these tragedies.
In August 2022, the World Health Organsation, WHO, warned that over 1.5 million adolescents and young adults aged between 10 and 24 years died in 2020, nearly 5000 every day.
According to Mayo Clinic, heart problems are often blamed for the sudden death in young people.
It explained that sudden cardiac death, which is rare in seemingly healthy people under the age of 35 is the swift and unexpected ending of all heart activity. Breathing and blood flow stop right away. Within seconds, the person becomes unconscious and dies. It’s more common in males than in females.
“Sudden cardiac death isn’t the same as sudden cardiac arrest, SCA. SCA is the sudden loss of heart activity due to an irregular heart rhythm. Survival is possible with fast, appropriate medical care.
“When sudden death occurs in adolescents and young adults, it’s sometimes due to undiagnosed heart conditions such as a genetic heart disease. The undetected heart problem may cause a young person to suddenly die during physical activity, such as playing competitive sports. However, sometimes sudden cardiac death can occur without exertion.
“Most student athletes compete yearly without a heart incident. If you or your child is at risk of sudden cardiac death, ask your healthcare provider about precautions you can take,” Mayo Clinic noted.
Sudden death in young people is rare, but those at risk can take precautions. Sudden cardiac death is often caused by faulty electrical signaling in the heart. A very fast heartbeat causes the lower heart chambers (ventricles) to quiver uselessly instead of pumping blood. This irregular heart rhythm is called ventricular fibrillation.
Many times, sudden cardiac death occurs without warning. When warning signs occur, they may go unrecognized. Take note and ask if a health checkup is needed for anyone who has any of the following: unexplained fainting (syncope). Fainting that occurs during activity or exercise could mean that there’s a heart problem; shortness of breath or chest pain. These symptoms can be a sign of a heart problem. But they can be caused by asthma, so it’s important to get a thorough health evaluation.
Family history of sudden cardiac death. Having a family history of sudden cardiac death makes a person more likely to have the same type of heart event. If there’s a family history of unexplained deaths, talk with a healthcare provider about screening options.
However, Lindsay May, MD, FAAP, FRCPC & Shaji Menon, explained that there are ways to help prevent sudden cardiac death which include: Regular well-child visits and sports physicals. All children need regular wellness visits with their doctor. These visits are a chance to get a complete physical exam and detailed health history to help identify risk factors that may contribute to SCA. Pre-participation exams also are important, even if a child is not involved in organized sports because gym class and recreational activities can―and should―involve plenty of exercise! A screening form that can be completed anytime by patients and parents with their doctor, to help decide whether a visit with a specialist is needed.
Know Your Family History. Gather the heart health history of blood relatives (children, siblings, parents, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, grandparents and cousins) and share with your pediatrician. This can help guide questions during well-child check-ups and sports physicals.
Community Life Support Training and Automated External Defibrillators. The AAP supports age-appropriate life-support training, including CPR, for students and school staff. It also encourages having Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) near athletic and training facilities. In cases of sudden cardiac arrest, AEDs can quickly deliver an electrical shock to return the heart rhythm to normal.
Any condition that puts a strain on the heart or damages heart tissue can increase the risk of sudden death. Some conditions that can lead to sudden cardiac death in young people as listed by Mayo Clinic include: Thickened heart muscle (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy). The most common cause of sudden cardiac death in young people is this genetic condition that causes the heart muscle to grow too thick. The thickening makes it hard for the heart to pump blood and can cause fast heartbeats.
Heart rhythm disorders. Long QT syndrome is a heart rhythm condition that can cause fast, chaotic heartbeats. It’s linked to unexplained fainting and sudden death, especially in young people. Long QT syndrome may be present at birth (congenital long QT syndrome) or caused by an underlying medical condition or medication (acquired long QT syndrome).
Other heart rhythm disorders that can cause sudden cardiac death are: Brugada syndrome and Wolfe-Parkinson-White syndrome.
Blunt chest injury. A hard hit to the chest that causes sudden cardiac death is called commotio cordis. Commotio cordis may occur in athletes, who are hit hard in the chest by sports equipment or by another player. This condition doesn’t damage the heart muscle. Instead, it changes the heart’s electrical signaling. The blow to the chest can trigger ventricular fibrillation if it strikes at a specific time in the signaling cycle.
Heart structure problem present at birth (congenital heart defect). Some people are born with changes in the heart and blood vessels that can reduce blood flow and lead to sudden cardiac death.
However, some Nigerian experts believe that Heart failure can be treated very easily depending on what is causing it. According to them, 50 per cent is caused by hypertension and the first thing to do is to lower the blood pressure.
They also advise the public to always assist a person who falls suddenly and pale white to give a big bang to the chest on a flat, hard surface, warning that it is not a time to run away. If there is a place where people are trained, the cardiopulmonary resuscitation can be done.
A.
Tags: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Constantinos Tsobanoglou Lindsay May Mayo Clinic WHO
