Every year, 7,000 teens lose their lives due to sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). SCA is not a heart attack — it is actually caused by an abnormality in the heart’s electrical system. SCA is a relatively unknown affliction that can cause sudden death in individuals who otherwise appear healthy. While, deaths from SCA in teens are relatively rare, those who are at risk can and should take precautions. Some symptoms to watch for include:

• Unexplained fainting (syncope). Sudden and unexplained fainting that occurs during physical activity could be a sign that there’s a problem with your heart.
• Family history of sudden cardiac death. The other major warning sign is a family history of unexplained deaths before the age of 50. This obviously isn’t a physical symptom like fainting, but deaths like this in your family should prompt you to pay close attention and perhaps talk with your doctor about screening options.

Shortness of breath or chest pain may also be a sign that you’re at risk of sudden cardiac death, but these aren’t common and may be a sign of other health problems in young people, such as asthma. Oftentimes, the risk of SCA can also be easily detected with a simple electrocardiogram (ECG). If someone has risk factors, as mentioned above, it’s important to get checked. SCA and sudden death is rare in the young. But SCA can happen.

If you or a loved one would like to take an ECG test in the comfort of your home or office, call our friendly medical concierge at +65 6679 7867 or email us at customercare@tmcg.com.sg and we will be on hand to assist you.

Wishing you the best of health, The Editorial Team The Medical Concierge Group