These Are the Symptoms That Appear 24 Hours Before Cardiac Arrest: Most Ignore Them, and They Could Save Lives

A groundbreaking study from the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai reveals that a significant number of sudden cardiac arrests may be preceded by warning signs. Published in Lancet Digital Health, the research indicates that up to half of individuals experiencing this life-threatening event exhibit at least one noticeable symptom within the 24 hours leading up to collapse. This finding challenges the long-held belief that cardiac arrests occur without warning and opens new avenues for preventative strategies.

The study highlights crucial differences in symptoms between genders. While unexpected chest pain is a primary indicator for men, women are more likely to experience sudden shortness of breath. Both sexes may also encounter less common symptoms such as excessive sweating, heart palpitations, and seizure-like activity. It is vital to distinguish cardiac arrest, an electrical malfunction of the heart, from a heart attack, a circulatory problem caused by blocked arteries, although a heart attack can increase the risk of cardiac arrest.

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Even today, only ten percent of people who experience sudden cardiac arrest survive this devastating event. Current prediction and prevention methods are inadequate.

Dr. Sumeet Chugh, lead author and director of the Cardiac Arrest Prevention Center, emphasizes the inadequacy of current prediction and prevention methods, noting that only about 10 percent of people survive sudden cardiac arrest. He stresses that while immediate emergency service contact could improve survival, the biggest hurdle remains the tendency for individuals to ignore these warning symptoms. Even if symptoms like chest pain or breathlessness can be attributed to less severe conditions, their sudden onset in individuals with risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, or known heart disease should prompt an urgent response.

The research analyzed data from two large community-based projects, PRESTO in California and SUDS in Oregon. By comparing the symptoms of individuals who experienced a witnessed cardiac arrest with those of patients seeking emergency care for similar symptoms but without experiencing an arrest, scientists were able to identify statistically significant warning signs. This rigorous methodology provides a clearer understanding of the pre-arrest phase, offering hope for earlier intervention and improved patient outcomes.

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Early contact with emergency services could improve survival, but most individuals tend to ignore warning symptoms.