A recent study published in The Lancet Digital Health journal reveals that half of individuals who suffer cardiac arrest experience a warning symptom 24 hours before the incident. Researchers from the Smidt Heart Institute, located in the Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, found that the warning symptom differed between men and women. For women, shortness of breath was the prominent complaint preceding cardiac arrest, while men experienced chest pain. Additional symptoms such as sweating and seizure-like activity were observed in smaller subgroups of both genders.

According to a press release from Cedars Sinai, sudden cardiac arrest outside of the hospital has a staggering 90% mortality rate. Therefore, recognizing early warning signs is essential. Dr. Sumeet Chugh, the director of the Center for Cardiac Arrest Prevention in the Smidt Heart Institute, stated in the news release that harnessing these warning symptoms could lead to early intervention and prevention of imminent death. Chugh, who is also the senior author of the study, believes that their findings could lead to a new paradigm for the prevention of sudden cardiac death.

In order to pinpoint the best methods to predict sudden cardiac arrest, Chugh's research team gathered community-based data from two ongoing studies: Prediction of Sudden Death in Multi-Ethnic Communities (PRESTO) in Ventura County, California, and the Oregon Sudden Unexpected Death study (SUDS) in Portland, Oregon. These studies allowed the investigators to analyze individual symptoms and sets of symptoms that occurred prior to sudden cardiac arrest. The findings were then compared to control groups who also sought emergency medical care.

Dr. Eduardo Marb??n, the executive director of the Smidt Heart Institute, stated that this study is the first of its kind to evaluate the association of warning symptoms with imminent sudden cardiac arrest using a comparison group with documented symptoms as part of routine emergency care. These significant findings pave the way for further research studies aimed at improving the prediction of sudden cardiac arrest. Chugh added that they plan to supplement the sex-specific warning symptoms with additional features, such as clinical profiles and biometric measures, to enhance prediction accuracy.

Dr. Allen Jeremias, an associate director of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at the St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center in Long Island, New York, who was not involved in the study, commended the research for shedding light on findings that can contribute to early detection and prevention of sudden cardiac arrest. He emphasized the importance of identifying specific symptoms that precede such a critical event and the sex-specific differences in these symptoms, as they can greatly impact public health. Jeremias added that if these findings can be applied in clinical practice, they could lead to improved patient outcomes by facilitating timely interventions and medical attention.

Jeremias also stressed the significance of the study's findings regarding sex-specific differences in heart symptoms for both healthcare professionals and patients. He emphasized the importance of educating patients about these differences and dispelling the notion that heart attack or cardiac arrest symptoms are solely chest pain, especially in women. Patients should be aware of a broad range of potential warning signs and seek medical attention if they experience any unusual or persistent symptoms.

In addition to understanding symptoms, Jeremias highlighted the importance of educating patients about the risk factors for heart disease, such as family history, smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle. Managing these risk factors is crucial for heart health and prevention. Jeremias emphasized that each patient is unique and may not experience the same symptoms, or they may experience atypical symptoms. Therefore, healthcare providers should take a comprehensive approach when evaluating patients, considering their medical history, risk factors, and individual symptoms. Ultimately, seeking medical attention promptly, regardless of whether the symptoms match the stereotypical heart attack symptoms, can make a significant difference in outcomes.