How to self-rescue from sudden cardiac death

Written by Chen Guang Yin

Cardiology

Updated on March 26, 2025

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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 Xie Zhi Hong

Cardiology

1min 19sec

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Is sudden cardiac death an acute myocardial infarction?

Sudden cardiac death refers to a phenomenon where a variety of heart diseases cause acute death in patients, with the most common causes being malignant arrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, or severe bradycardia, primarily related to myocardial infarction. However, not all cases of sudden cardiac death are due to myocardial infarction; this condition generally accounts for about 70%. Other causes of sudden cardiac death include existing dilated cardiomyopathy, thyrotoxic cardiomyopathy, or severe terminal stenosis of the mitral or aortic valves, which can also lead to sudden cardiac death. Another scenario involves atrial fibrillation leading to atrial thrombosis, causing thrombus detachment and resulting in extensive cerebral infarction leading to sudden death; this is also classified as sudden cardiac death. Therefore, while the majority of sudden cardiac deaths are related to myocardial infarction and arrhythmias, not all sudden cardiac deaths are due to myocardial infarction.

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Written by Li Qiang

Intensive Care Unit

1min 19sec

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The difference between cardiogenic shock and sudden cardiac death

Cardiogenic shock is caused by a decrease in cardiac contractile function, leading to reduced ejection, lowered blood pressure, and resulting in ischemia and hypoxia of tissue cells. It is due to the reduced contractile function of the heart, which may be caused by coronary issues such as coronary ischemia, or by severe arrhythmias such as severe ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, or by acute heart failure. Cardiogenic sudden death occurs when cardiogenic shock progresses further, leading to the cessation of the heartbeat. The main difference between cardiogenic sudden death and cardiogenic shock is that during cardiogenic sudden death, the heartbeat has definitely stopped completely, or there is only ventricular fibrillation, at which point it is called cardiogenic sudden death. During cardiogenic shock, the heart still retains some contractile function, meaning the heart still has some autonomous beating capability. Compared to cardiogenic sudden death, it is still an early, reversible stage of cardiogenic sudden death. Once it progresses to cardiogenic sudden death, immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation is necessary, and at this point, the mortality rate greatly increases.

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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

40sec

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Can cardiogenic sudden death be resuscitated?

If cardiogenic sudden death is promptly rescued, it is possible to save the individual. For example, if we immediately perform on-the-spot rescue after cardiogenic sudden death occurs, administering CPR within 4-6 minutes, then a large number of people can be rescued successfully. Some diseases might not even leave any sequelae. The key lies in the timing of the rescue. We say that time is life. For patients who suffer from cardiogenic sudden death, we must act immediately on the spot, wherever the sudden death occurs, to start the rescue, immediately initiating artificial respiration and external chest compressions.

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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.