Sudden Cardiac Arrest Warnings.

Warning signs, when present, can include:

• Fainting or dizziness with exercise

• Excessive fatigue or shortness of breath with exercise

• Chest pain or chest discomfort with exercise

Similarly, there may be no known risk factor that identifies a person at risk of SCA. 

Risk factors, when present, can include:

• Diseases causing abnormal heart structure, for example Congenital Heart Disease and various forms of Cardiomyopathy.

• Electrical diseases of the heart, which can predispose to abnormal heart rhythms like ventricular fibrillation. These include Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome and Long QT Syndrome.

• Coronary Artery Disease, most commonly caused by atherosclerosis. (Risk factors for atherosclerosis include obesity, high blood pressure, sedentary lifestyle, tobacco use, diabetes and a family history of coronary artery disease).

• Exposure to certain drugs of abuse such as cocaine, inhalants, recreational or club drugs, and even some prescription medications.

• Family history of sudden unexplained or sudden cardiac death in a close relative before age 50.

• Sudden blow to the chest directly over the heart (called commotio cordis).