Sudden cardiac arrest remains a significant problem worldwide among adults and, to a lesser extent, among children. Scientists have made significant progress in preserving the lives of patients in intensive care, but they do not yet fully understand all the causes and mechanisms of sudden cardiac arrest. These gaps prevent the development of precise preventive recommendations.
Working in this direction, scientists from China studied the influence of 125 non-clinical risk factors related to lifestyle and the environment. The influence of all criteria was assessed on a sample of more than 500 thousand people. Participants were observed for about 14 years. The results of the study were published on the EurekAlert website.
It turned out that lifestyle correction for 56 indicators ensured a 63% reduction in the risk of sudden cardiac arrest.
Among the most significant were weight, blood pressure and stress control, as well as regular physical activity and not smoking. In contrast, excess weight, smoking, stress, lack of sleep and other factors were associated with increased risks.
Interestingly, the study found a positive correlation between the consumption of champagne, white wine and fruit with a reduced risk of sudden cardiac arrest. The scientists cannot yet explain this finding, but they commented on another unexpected result. They found an inverse correlation between the long-term use of a computer in the volunteers, but, according to the hypothesis, this reflects deep socioeconomic and professional differences between the groups.
Thus, a sedentary lifestyle remains a significant risk factor, but long-term computer use in this case may indicate higher levels of wealth and education among participants.
Previously, other work has shown that lifestyle interventions can prevent early-onset dementia, which is thought to be caused by a genetic predisposition.