1. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy accounts for approximately 30% of such cases and involves the muscles in the walls of the heart becoming abnormally thick, which can result in reduced circulation when under strain or stress, as well as being a major cause of severe arrhythmia. This condition can be hereditary, a result of a genetic irregularity, or idiopathic, although by using an echocardiography, it is possible to detect among athletes – for whom it is more common to see hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Treatment for this condition can involve surgical removal of the thickened section of muscle or insertion of a catheter used to administer a substance into the thickened muscle that will cause its cells to atrophy, thereby making it less dense. Additionally, tests must be carried out to check whether genetic factors are at play because if patients have a family history of the condition, their relatives must also undergo screening.


2. Ventricular arrhythmia results from severely disrupt to the normal pattern of electrical signals, such as ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia. Patients with these types of conditions do not generally experience symptoms that precipitate screening, meaning they lead normal lives, can exercise like anyone else, and may even show no signs of a problem despite undergoing a health check-up. Exceptions are patients with a family history of deaths caused by idiopathic heart failure, as they may have subsequently undergone genetic screening prior to any symptoms becoming apparent. Treatment for these conditions could involve a defibrillator transplant designed to reset the heart’s regular signals or an AICD transplant used to restore a pulse following arrhythmia.


3. Coronary artery disorders are generally associated with coronary stenosis, which tends to occur in the elderly or in patients with underlying health conditions, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol. However, in young patients or athletes, medical staff will look for congenital coronary artery disorders, such as anomalous arterial origin or anomalous arterial formation.

As you can see, the only potential factor behind sudden cardiac arrest that can be effectively detected prior to becoming symptomatic is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, with any condition caused by irregular electrical signals in the heart much more difficult to distinguish. Indeed, most patients are only diagnosed following a life-threatening event. Therefore, adequate training for the public in how to provide basic life support to patients in life-threatening situations and critical care training for those in the field of public health or members of staff in other organizations is vital. This is because the most important aspect behind saving the lives of these patients is effective CPR which will partially support circulation throughout the body while the heart has stopped beating. This is especially important for the patient’s brain. Nevertheless, the use of an AED to reset the heart’s signals following a severe arrhythmia episode can also play a key role.