The difference between sudden cardiac death and myocardial infarction.

Written by Chen Guang Yin

Cardiology

Updated on September 12, 2024

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Sudden cardiac death and myocardial infarction are both types of coronary heart disease; they are classified under coronary heart disease. Sudden cardiac death is mostly caused by extensive myocardial infarction, with some patients experiencing it due to severe arrhythmias leading to sudden death. The primary clinical symptoms of myocardial infarction are typically those of coronary heart disease, including chest tightness, chest pain, and sweating. Sudden cardiac death can be triggered by myocardial infarction, but the two are not the same. Having a myocardial infarction does not necessarily result in sudden death, and myocardial infarction can be alleviated with treatment.

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Written by Li Hai Wen

Cardiology

42sec

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Can sudden cardiac death be hereditary?

Sudden cardiac death has genetic characteristics, and common causes of sudden cardiac death mainly include the following aspects: Coronary heart disease, angina, and myocardial infarction, especially acute myocardial infarction, often lead to sudden death in patients; Secondly, long QT syndrome and Brugada syndrome are also common diseases causing sudden cardiac death and have genetic characteristics as hereditary arrhythmogenic disorders; Thirdly, aortic dissection or pulmonary embolism. These diseases are usually not highly related to genetics but can also cause sudden cardiac death, hence sudden cardiac death is genetic.

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Written by Chen Guang Yin

Cardiology

40sec

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Does cardiogenic sudden death cause vomiting blood?

Of course, sudden cardiac death is now a very common cause of death. At places like airports and bus stations, we often see reports of such incidents, and many young people are also affected. However, patients experiencing sudden cardiac death generally do not present with symptoms of vomiting blood, as it is caused by cardiac arrest. Vomiting blood is usually associated with conditions such as gastric ulcers leading to severe bleeding, gastric cancer, or cirrhosis leading to rupture of varicose veins at the base of the stomach. The likelihood of vomiting blood occurring in cases of sudden cardiac death is very low, almost nonexistent.

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Written by Chen Guang Yin

Cardiology

51sec

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Golden hour for emergency treatment of cardiogenic sudden death

Cardiac arrest is now also a very frequent event. We have seen some reports of it occurring frequently at airports, train stations, and on public transport, involving middle-aged, elderly, or even young individuals. The golden window for emergency aid is 4 to 6 minutes, with shorter times being preferable. We say time is life because after 4 to 6 minutes, if effective circulation isn't restored, brain cells begin to die. Even if later resuscitation restores breathing and heartbeat, the individual may end up in a vegetative state. Therefore, within the shortest time frame of 4 to 6 minutes, external chest compressions, including opening the airway and artificial respiration, must be administered. The optimal window is 4 minutes, but no more than 6 minutes.

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Written by Chen Guang Yin

Cardiology

34sec

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How to self-rescue from sudden cardiac death

Sudden cardiac death is now also a very critical illness often occurring in coronary heart disease. We frequently see news reports of sudden deaths at airports and public places. At such times, self-rescue is extremely difficult. Unless you have a history of coronary heart disease and carry medications with you, if you experience symptoms like chest tightness and shortness of breath, you could take these medications to help yourself. Otherwise, sudden cardiac death occurs abruptly, causing the heart to stop beating within a very short period, and the patient cannot self-rescue.

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Written by Li Hai Wen

Cardiology

52sec

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Cardiogenic sudden death is often caused by what reasons and how to avoid it?

The most common cause of sudden cardiac death is currently acute myocardial infarction caused by coronary heart disease. The following measures can often effectively prevent sudden cardiac death: First, maintain good lifestyle habits, such as a low-salt, low-fat diet, maintain good emotional health, avoid extreme emotions, quit smoking, limit alcohol consumption, and regular exercise is important. Second, active pharmaceutical treatment, such as in cases of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, or diabetes, should be under the guidance of a doctor. It is crucial to use prescribed medications to lower blood pressure or blood sugar levels and control high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or high blood sugar. Actively managing these conditions can effectively prevent the occurrence of coronary heart disease.