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China - Sudden cardiac death: "the proportion of those aged 18 to 35 rising from 12% in 2015 to 28% in 2024." - March 27, 2026

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  • China - Sudden cardiac death: "the proportion of those aged 18 to 35 rising from 12% in 2015 to 28% in 2024." - March 27, 2026

    Cardiology outpatient visits have increased at several hospitals in Wuhan! Many patients are young people. Doctors suggest →

    March 27, 2026, 14:09 Wuhan Radio and Television Station



    Recently, sudden cardiac death has drawn widespread attention, and the number of patients visiting the cardiology outpatient departments of many hospitals in Wuhan has increased.

    On March 25, Li Dongsheng, director of the cardiology department at Wuhan Third Hospital, reported an increase in the number of patients seeking consultations and physical examinations that morning, including many young people in their twenties. Data shows that approximately 544,000 people die from sudden cardiac arrest in my country each year, equivalent to one person dying every minute. Li Dongsheng reminded the public that sudden cardiac arrest is preventable and controllable, and there is no need to panic, but it is important to pay attention to daily health management and regular screening.

    A 28-year-old office worker had her first heart checkup after watching the news.

    It is understood that the cardiology outpatient clinic at this hospital mainly serves patients with chronic diseases such as coronary heart disease and hypertension for follow-up examinations, as well as patients who need to schedule interventional surgery. On the day of the visit, many citizens came to the outpatient clinic with concerns for consultations and checkups, including Mr. Wang, a 28-year-old office worker. "Seeing the news about sudden death made me very anxious. I often work overtime late into the night and eat takeout, and I occasionally experience chest tightness. I've never had a heart checkup before, so I took the day off to come and get checked," Mr. Wang said. After examinations such as an electrocardiogram and echocardiogram, although no obvious abnormalities were found, the doctor still advised him to adjust his lifestyle and reduce his takeout intake.

    Li Dongsheng told reporters, "In just one morning, 12 citizens came to inquire and make appointments for special check-ups." He added, "This shows that the public's attention to heart health has increased, but it also shows that most people neglect health management in their daily lives."

    Li Dongsheng stated that he frequently encounters patients around 30 years old suffering from sudden cardiac death in his clinical practice. According to the "Epidemiological Survey of Sudden Cardiac Death in China," approximately 550,000 people die from sudden cardiac death annually in my country, with the proportion of those aged 18 to 35 rising from 12% in 2015 to 28% in 2024.

    "We've encountered many young patients who had no discomfort, some even regularly exercising, yet suddenly developed heart problems. Upon further questioning, we discovered they had never undergone any specialized cardiac examinations," he explained. He cited a recent case of a 30-year-old fitness enthusiast who had no obvious discomfort. A company physical examination revealed a small defect in the atrial septum through echocardiography, allowing for timely intervention and preventing potential risks. He explained that the increase in related cases among young people is mainly due to insufficient early intervention, the lack of routine cardiac examinations, and the tendency for potential hidden dangers to be overlooked, potentially leading to sudden death when triggered.


    Li Dongsheng explained that although sudden cardiac death has a sudden onset, the risk can be reduced through prevention and screening. "Many people mistakenly believe that only chest tightness or chest pain requires a heart check-up, which is incorrect." He emphasized that heart screening prevents "invisible hidden dangers," and regular check-ups are essential for high-risk groups so that problems can be intervened in a timely manner.

    Regarding high-risk groups, Li Dongsheng provided the following criteria: men over 40 years old, those with a family history of heart disease, especially coronary heart disease, need to pay special attention; patients with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and hyperglycemia, obese individuals who lack exercise, those who stay up late for long periods and experience high stress, smokers, and those who frequently eat out are also considered high-risk groups. "Frequent dining out is easily overlooked. Restaurant dishes are high in oil and salt, and long-term consumption will increase the metabolic burden and accelerate arteriosclerosis."
    A 62-year-old man suffered a sudden cardiogenic syncope.

    Daughter's life saved in two minutes of emergency care

    Mr. Chen (pseudonym), a 62-year-old resident of Haining, had a history of heart disease and was a regular patient of Dr. Wang Dong. Recently, due to frequent temperature fluctuations, Mr. Chen suddenly lost consciousness at home without warning, turning pale and breathing weakly – a typical case of an acute cardiac event. His family was terrified and at a loss for what to do.
    In the critical moment, Mr. Chen's daughter immediately called Wang Dong, the director of the Third Department of Cardiology at Zhejiang Haining Kanghua Hospital, for help. "Don't panic, start CPR immediately, follow my steps!" On the other end of the phone, Wang Dong provided precise remote guidance, instructing his daughter to immediately and correctly perform chest compressions on site .
    Two minutes later, Mr. Chen, who had been unconscious, slowly regained consciousness. His family quickly dialed 120 and sent him to Kanghua Hospital for further treatment. After targeted treatment, the elderly man was out of danger. " Springtime is a high-incidence period for cardiac emergencies. The golden four minutes are crucial. The family members knew first aid and dared to take action, directly pulling him back from the brink of death ," Wang Dong said with emotion.
    I had to endure chest pain while playing mahjong.
    A man in his 50s collapsed at the entrance of the emergency room.
    Coincidentally, another case is equally alarming. A man in his fifties from Haining, who already suffered from hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and hyperglycemia, experienced a cardiac emergency due to fluctuating temperatures, prolonged sitting during entertainment, and emotional stress . One day, while playing mahjong with friends, he suddenly felt a squeezing pain in his chest . This was a strong distress signal from his heart, but he thought it was just a temporary discomfort and endured the pain to continue playing for more than half an hour.
    When his body could no longer hold on, his face turned deathly pale, he broke out in a cold sweat, and his limbs felt weak. Only then did his friends and family realize something was wrong and quickly drove him to Haining Kanghua Hospital. But just as they arrived at the emergency room entrance and helped him out of the car, the man suddenly collapsed to the ground, completely losing consciousness. His condition was extremely critical .
    Emergency room staff rushed to the scene and took turns performing CPR, quickly stabilizing the man's vital signs and pulling him back from the brink of death. Subsequent examinations revealed a alarming diagnosis: the man's left anterior descending artery was completely blocked, a highly dangerous acute myocardial infarction where even slight delay could have resulted in missed opportunities for rescue. The cardiology team immediately performed an emergency stent implantation, and after intensive treatment and care, the man ultimately recovered and was out of danger.

    "Many people think that chest pain will pass if they just endure it. Springtime temperatures fluctuate greatly, which can increase the burden on the heart. Coupled with this sense of complacency, it can easily lead to an irreversible tragedy." Wang Dong admitted that such cases of delayed treatment are not uncommon in clinical practice. Sudden cardiac death is never a "sudden occurrence," but rather a "sudden outbreak" after ignoring bodily signals and being stimulated by seasonal factors .
    Regarding the prevention of myocardial infarction, doctors recommend:
    First, strictly manage "three highs" (hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and hyperglycemia), take medication regularly, and monitor periodically;
    Second, cultivate healthy habits, such as a low-salt, low-fat diet, quitting smoking and limiting alcohol consumption, and ensuring 7 to 8 hours of sleep.
    Third, engage in moderate exercise, including 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week, and avoid sudden high-intensity exercise.
    Fourth, regulate your emotions and avoid anxiety and anger. High-risk groups are advised to have an electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiogram at least once a year.
    Citizens should remember the typical and atypical symptoms of a heart attack: The typical symptom is a squeezing pain behind the sternum or in the precordial region, lasting more than 15 minutes and not relieved by rest, accompanied by profuse sweating and a feeling of impending death; the atypical symptom may be upper abdominal pain, toothache, extreme fatigue, etc. If symptoms occur, rest immediately and call 120 (emergency services). Do not drive yourself to the hospital.



    ​zhttps://finance.sina.com.cn/jjxw/2026-03-27/doc-inhsmhtr9505136.shtml

  • #2
    A doctor at a top-tier hospital treated six cases of myocardial infarction in one hour, the youngest being only 42 years old.

    April 8, 2026, 17:20,


      (Reporter Qiao Rui from People's Daily Health Client) "Six patients with myocardial infarction and three with STEMI (acute myocardial infarction) arrived in one hour. This wave is very concentrated!" This post on WeChat Moments by Zhang Yi, chief physician of the Department of Cardiology at Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, in the early hours of April 6 has attracted widespread attention.

      In an interview with People's Daily Health Client on April 7, Zhang Yi explained that among the six patients, four were in their 40s, one of whom was a woman; the other two were in their 50s and 60s respectively. Three of them suffered from the most severe type of acute myocardial infarction, with complete blockage of blood vessels, and underwent immediate surgery; the other three were in slightly better condition and were stabilized with medication before surgery was scheduled. "We hope that society will pay attention to the cardiovascular health of young and middle-aged people, especially men around 40 years old, and that key populations need to take precautions against cardiovascular 'level 1.5' prevention."
      Zhang Yi pointed out that these young myocardial infarction patients share common characteristics, including: predominantly male, high work stress, lack of exercise, obesity, long-term heavy smoking and drinking, and the presence of one or more of the following: hypertension, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia. "Some cases occur suddenly after exercise, while others even occur suddenly during normal rest. In general, unhealthy lifestyle habits are the biggest risk factor, and the patients are generally quite young."

      Zhang Yi proposed that preventing myocardial infarction can follow the concept of "1.5-level prevention" in cardiovascular disease. While primary prevention (prevention before disease occurs) is ideal, it's difficult to change everyone's lifestyle habits in reality; secondary prevention (treatment after illness) is too late. "1.5-level prevention" refers to conducting an "organ-level" examination before a myocardial infarction or stroke occurs, such as carotid ultrasound, electrocardiogram, and coronary CT angiography, to detect early lesions like plaques or stenosis in blood vessels, allowing for timely intervention. Zhang Yi gave an example: a 42-year-old patient who underwent stent surgery that night, if he had undergone a coronary CT angiography a year earlier, would likely have had 80%–90% narrowing of his blood vessels, and early medication or intervention might have prevented this myocardial infarction.
      Who should undergo this type of examination? Zhang Yi suggests that people with poorly controlled hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and hyperglycemia, obese individuals, the elderly, and those with clear symptoms such as chest tightness, chest pain, and palpitations should undergo further coronary artery enhancement CT if problems are found, which can more clearly determine the condition of the blood vessels.
      Zhang Yi cautioned that most people experience "exertional angina" a few days or weeks before a heart attack—feeling chest tightness when exerting themselves or walking quickly, a sensation of a lid on their throat, and sometimes dull pain in their back, left arm, and left jaw; a few people experience their first chest pain as a heart attack. An attack can manifest as severe chest pain lasting more than half an hour, accompanied by sweating and radiating pain in the back or arm. "We pay more attention to the health of the elderly and children, while the 25-60 age group, considered 'in their prime,' has become a weak link in health protection. Heart attacks are preventable and treatable; the key is to move the screening process forward to the stage where blood vessels have lesions but are not yet blocked."



    zhttps://k.sina.com.cn/article_1411163204_541ca44402001t3yi.html

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