A tragic incident unfolded in Indore when a 23-year-old girl collapsed during a wedding dance, later dying from suspected sudden cardiac arrest. This incident resonates with another case of a 26-year-old fitness enthusiast from Bengaluru, who, despite leading a healthy lifestyle, never woke up one morning. Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating, halting the flow of oxygenated blood and leading to death within minutes due to conditions like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). In HCM, the heart muscle thickens, disrupting its rhythm. Genetic predisposition plays a significant role—if one parent has HCM, there’s a 50% chance their child will inherit it. The girl’s family history includes a brother who died young from a heart condition, highlighting the genetic impact.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy manifests through thickening of the walls between the heart’s ventricles, obstructing blood flow. The left ventricle, responsible for pumping blood, may stiffen, preventing heart relaxation and causing irregular electrical signals. These abnormalities often go unnoticed until physical exertion, like dancing, triggers dangerous heart rhythms. Exercise-induced overexertion can lead to an overwhelming surge in heart rate and blood pressure, further exacerbating the risk of sudden cardiac arrest.
Prevention strategies are crucial, particularly for those with a family history of young deaths from heart issues. First-line relatives should undergo regular cardiac screening, including ECGs and echocardiograms. Recommended testing frequencies are every two years for those under 18 and every five years thereafter. Importantly, no blood tests can diagnose HCM. Confirmed cases require annual cardiac Holter monitoring and MRI scans every three years. A high-risk status identified through imaging may necessitate an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), which can correct life-threatening heart rhythms. This crucial device, costing between Rs 4 and Rs 8 lakh, offers life-saving monitoring but may pose a financial burden. Low-risk individuals should avoid extreme exercises yet remain under observation, while high-risk patients require more intensive intervention.
A 23-year-old girl from Indore died after collapsing from suspected sudden cardiac arrest during a wedding dance. This condition, often linked to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), can suddenly stop the heart due to genetic factors. Regular screenings are crucial for those with family histories of heart conditions to prevent tragic outcomes.
The heartbreaking cases of sudden cardiac arrest underline the importance of awareness surrounding hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a genetic condition that can strike unexpectedly, especially in young individuals. Regular heart health check-ups, particularly for those with family histories of heart issues, are vital in identifying risks early. Whether through monitoring or interventions like ICDs, proactive measures can be life-saving.
Original Source: indianexpress.com
