5 Causes of Sudden Death

Sure, a heart attack can kill you almost instantly. But, it's not the first rank of the most common cause of sudden death among young people, says Gerald Wydro, M.D., chair of emergency medicine at Aria Health in Philadelphia.

Here are five other causes that can also cause sudden death.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

About one in 500 people have this heart condition. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy causes the walls of the heart muscle to thicken and loss of pumping power. About one percent of people with this disorder die suddenly every year, usually because the heart rate is too fast. Many young people do not realize that they have heart problems.

Most cases of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy are genetic, says Jil Tardiff, M.D., Ph.D., of the University of Arizona medical school.

If you have a family history of suspected heart disease, your doctor may recommend tests such as heart electrical record (ECG) and cardiac ultrasound (echocardiography). Plus, you should be extra vigilant against symptoms such as shortness of breath, fainting, and rapid heart beat.

You can consult with a cardiologist to help manage your situation both with regular visits and medications, and even surgery to prevent sudden death.

Damaged heart electrical flow

Another heart problem that may cause sudden death is an electrical system disorder that controls and harmonizes heartbeats, Dr said. Wydro. This case is rare but very dangerous.

You may not feel the symptoms until your heart is not pumping but just start to vibrate and suddenly you collapse.

These heart disorders are genetic as well. Work with your doctor to search your family history to manage this disorder. Perform tests such as ECG and other routine checks to identify these abnormalities.

Similar to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, you may also consult a cardiologist to help manage your situation by regular visits and medication use, as well as other treatments such as avoiding triggers such as smoking and alcohol.

Brain aneurysm

Aneurysm is a blood vessel disorder of the brain that arises due to thinning and degeneration of artery walls. The cause is congenital abnormalities, hypertension, and the presence of infection or trauma. This condition causes weakness in the blood vessel wall to form a bulge like a balloon. Aneurysm often does not give clear symptoms. But according to a recent study in the journal Stroke, about a third of the aneurysm eventually broke out and was fatal.

Aneurysms are usually treated with surgery and other therapies. Immediately seek medical help if you or someone closest to you feel sudden, severe headache, twitching, seizures, and decreased consciousness.

Aortic dissection

Aortic dissection is a medical condition characterized by tearing of the inner lining of the aorta or large artery which is a direct branch of the heart

Doctors do not know exactly what caused this tear, but this condition can trigger bleeding and be fatal. Aortic dissection occurs in about two of every 10,000 people, most of whom are men aged 40 to 70, according to the National Institutes of Health.

The unusual and sudden pain in the chest or back is the main symptom of aortic dissection. Get medical attention immediately if you experience this.

Pulmonary embolus

Pulmonary embolism is a blockage of the pulmonary vasculature due to the release of clots of blockage in the veins behind other body parts (deep vein thrombosis).

Half of these people with pulmonary embolism, have no symptoms at all. In fact, sudden death can be the first symptom of pulmonary embolism.

Watch for signs of blood clots elsewhere in your body, such as feet and hands, Dr. Wydro.

Treatment with blood-thinning medication may prevent pulmonary embolism.