| Sudden collapse or sudden death is a condition in which death occurs instantaneously or within 30 minutes of collapse.
Sudden collapse could be due to
- Heart attack (myocardial infarction)
- Arrhythmia (ventricular fibrillation)
- Aortic rupture
- Myocarditis (infection or inflammation of the heart)
- Pulmonary embolism (blood clot to the lungs)
- Brain haemorrhage
- Drug poisoning
- Electrolyte abnormalities – e.g. high potassium level
- Status Asthmaticus (very severe asthma)
- Anaphylaxis (very severe allergic reaction)
- Inhaled foreign body (choking)
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| SUDDEN COLLAPSE DUE TO VENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA OR FIBRILLATION |
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- is seen during an acute myocardial infarction
- may occur in survivors of acute myocardial infarction
- is more likely in those with a history of heart failure
- may occur in inherited heart conditions such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, Long QT Syndrome, Brugada’s Syndrome
- can occur in young and apparently healthy individuals
- is just as likely to occur during sleep or exercise
- individuals at risk can be identified by a thorough cardiac evaluation
- may be prevented through implantation of an automatic implantable defibrillator.
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