Cardiologist named methods of prevention of sudden cardiac death

The Scientific Congress of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) has released alarming data: sudden cardiac death claims the lives of young people, with athletes making up a significant part of the victims. Evgeniya Bogaevskaya, a cardiologist at the UNKP-Med Medical Center, told Izvestia on June 23 how to protect herself from sudden cardiac death syndrome (SIDS).

According to her, in 22% of cases, the cause of the tragedy is sudden arrhythmic death, an insidious condition that often develops against the background of undiagnosed heart diseases.

The syndrome is particularly dangerous due to its unpredictability. In young people, it can be caused by cardiac arrhythmias, myocarditis, or toxic effects of alcohol and drugs, whereas in the elderly, the main causes are coronary heart disease and age—related degenerative changes.

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Statistics show that 3 out of 100,000 healthy young athletes die every year during training. As Bogaevskaya notes, both lack of physical activity and excessive exertion can provoke pathological changes in the body. To determine a safe level of stress, she recommends stress tests such as cycling ergometry.

"The level of any physical activity should correspond to the capabilities of a person. An individually and correctly selected load works for us — it improves well—being, promotes health, increases the body's resistance to diseases, and increases life expectancy," the doctor noted.

The insidiousness of sudden death syndrome, according to the cardiologist, lies in its asymptomatic course. Fainting, shortness of breath, palpitations, chest pain, and general weakness can be alarming. Even in the absence of complaints, Bogaevskaya advises regular minimal examination — ECG and ultrasound of the heart, and, if necessary, daily monitoring or angiography.

To prevent SHS, the specialist recommended walking regularly for at least 30 minutes, eating a balanced diet with a restriction of saturated fats and "empty" carbohydrates.

"Additionally, the procedure of enhanced external counterpulsation can be used for prevention. This is a method of synchronized therapeutic effect on the tissues of the patient's lower extremities and pelvis with compressed air cuffs," the doctor added.

She warned: the chances of saving a person in cardiac arrest are extremely low — the minutes count. The availability of automatic external defibrillators in public places could increase survival by up to 80%, but timely defibrillation in the first five minutes after an attack remains critically important.

Earlier, on May 29, neurologist Rustem Gayfutdinov called for avoiding physical activity during magnetic storms. At this time, you should get enough sleep, engage in moderate physical activity, avoid stress and eat a balanced diet.