Donate Help Contact The AHA Sign In Home
American Heart Association
Circulation
Search: search_blue_button Advanced Search
Circulation. 1995;91:1749-1756

This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Wannamethee, G.
Right arrow Articles by Walker, M.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Wannamethee, G.
Right arrow Articles by Walker, M.
Right arrowPubmed/NCBI databases
*Compound via MeSH
*Substance via MeSH
Medline Plus Health Information
*Cardiac Arrest
Hazardous Substances DB
*CHOLESTEROL

(Circulation. 1995;91:1749-1756.)
© 1995 American Heart Association, Inc.


Articles

Risk Factors for Sudden Cardiac Death in Middle-Aged British Men

Goya Wannamethee, PhD; A. G. Shaper, FRCP; P. W. Macfarlane, PhD; Mary Walker, MA

From the University Department of Public Health, Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine (G.W., A.G.S., M.W.), London, England, and the Department of Medical Cardiology, Royal Infirmary (P.W.M.), Glasgow, Scotland.

Correspondence to Dr Goya Wannamethee, University Dept of Public Health, Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, Rowland Hill St, London NW3 2PF, England.

Background Risk factors specific to sudden cardiac death (SCD), ie, death within 1 hour after onset of symptoms, have been poorly identified, although recent findings from the present study incriminate heavy drinking and elevated heart rate. This paper examines the relations between a wide range of established and potential risk factors for ischemic heart disease (IHD) and SCD to identify independent risk factors for SCD and factors that might particularly or specifically relate to SCD.

Methods and Results We present a prospective study of a cohort that was drawn from general practices in 24 British towns of 7735 middle-aged men who were followed up for 8 years. During 8 years of follow-up, the men experienced 488 major IHD events (nonfatal and fatal), of which 117 (24%) were classified as SCD. Age, preexisting IHD, arrhythmia, systolic blood pressure, blood cholesterol, elevated heart rate (>=90 beats per minute), physical activity (all, P<.05), and, to a lesser extent, smoking (P=.06), HDL cholesterol (P<.07), and elevated hematocrit (>=46%, P<.09) emerged as independent risk factors for SCD after adjustment for a wide range of factors. Diabetes was not found to be associated with SCD, and forced expiratory volume in 1 second, body mass index, white blood cell count, and antihypertensive drugs were not associated with risk of SCD after adjustment. When examined in relation to non–sudden IHD deaths and nonfatal myocardial infarction, elevated heart rate, heavy drinking, and arrhythmia emerged as factors that appear to be specific or particular to SCD. These three factors and age and blood cholesterol were associated with an increased risk of SCD in men both with and without preexisting IHD. Physical activity, systolic blood pressure, and current smoking were associated with SCD only in men without preexisting IHD. HDL cholesterol and hematocrit were strong predictors of SCD only in men with preexisting IHD.

Conclusions Three risk factors appear to be specific or particular to the risk of SCD, and these and other risk factors operate differently in patients with versus those without preexisting IHD. These findings have implications for the causes and prevention of SCD.


Key Words: death, sudden • risk factors • ischemia • coronary disease




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Bio.Home page
A. M. Kucharska-Newton, D. J. Couper, J. S. Pankow, R. J. Prineas, T. D. Rea, N. Sotoodehnia, A. Chakravarti, A. R. Folsom, D. S. Siscovick, and W. D. Rosamond
Hemostasis, Inflammation, and Fatal and Nonfatal Coronary Heart Disease: Long-Term Follow-Up of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Cohort
Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, December 1, 2009; 29(12): 2182 - 2190.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
ESC Textbook of Cardiovascular MedicineHome page
L. Eckardt, G&#x.;n. Breithardt, and S. Hohnloser
CHAPTER 30 Ventricular Tachycardia and Sudden Cardiac Death
ESC Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine, January 1, 2009; 2(1): med-9780199566990-chapter - med-9780199566990-chapter.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J Am Coll CardiolHome page
S. Imaizumi, S.-i. Miura, K. Nakamura, Y. Kiya, Y. Uehara, B. Zhang, Y. Matsuo, H. Urata, M. Ideishi, K.-A. Rye, et al.
Antiarrhythmogenic effect of reconstituted high-density lipoprotein against ischemia/reperfusion in rats.
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., April 22, 2008; 51(16): 1604 - 1612.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
K. S. Kaikkonen, M.-L. Kortelainen, E. Linna, and H. V. Huikuri
Family History and the Risk of Sudden Cardiac Death as a Manifestation of an Acute Coronary Event
Circulation, October 3, 2006; 114(14): 1462 - 1467.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J Am Coll CardiolHome page
Developed in Collaboration With the European Heart, D. P. Zipes, A. J. Camm, M. Borggrefe, A. E. Buxton, B. Chaitman, M. Fromer, G. Gregoratos, G. Klein, A. J. Moss, et al.
ACC/AHA/ESC 2006 Guidelines for Management of Patients With Ventricular Arrhythmias and the Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death--Executive Summary: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force and the European Society of Cardiology Committee for Practice Guidelines (Writing Committee to Develop Guidelines for Management of Patients With Ventricular Arrhythmias and the Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death)
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., September 5, 2006; 48(5): 1064 - 1108.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J Am Coll CardiolHome page
Developed in Collaboration With the European Heart, D. P. Zipes, A. J. Camm, M. Borggrefe, A. E. Buxton, B. Chaitman, M. Fromer, G. Gregoratos, G. Klein, A. J. Moss, et al.
ACC/AHA/ESC 2006 Guidelines for Management of Patients With Ventricular Arrhythmias and the Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force and the European Society of Cardiology Committee for Practice Guidelines (Writing Committee to Develop Guidelines for Management of Patients With Ventricular Arrhythmias and the Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death)
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., September 5, 2006; 48(5): e247 - e346.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Eur Heart JHome page
D. P. Zipes, D. P. Zipes, A. J. Camm, M. Borggrefe, A. E. Buxton, B. Chaitman, M. Fromer, G. Gregoratos, G. Klein, A. J. Moss, et al.
ACC/AHA/ESC 2006 guidelines for management of patients with ventricular arrhythmias and the prevention of sudden cardiac death--executive summary: A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force and the European Society of Cardiology Committee for Practice Guidelines (Writing Committee to Develop Guidelines for Management of Patients with Ventricular Arrhythmias and the Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death) Developed in collaboration with the European Heart Rhythm Association and the Heart Rhythm Society.
Eur. Heart J., September 1, 2006; 27(17): 2099 - 2140.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
EuropaceHome page
Writing Committee Members, D. P. Zipes, A. J. Camm, M. Borggrefe, A. E. Buxton, B. Chaitman, M. Fromer, G. Gregoratos, G. Klein, A. J. Moss, et al.
ACC/AHA/ESC 2006 guidelines for management of patients with ventricular arrhythmias and the prevention of sudden cardiac death: A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force and the European Society of Cardiology Committee for Practice Guidelines (Writing Committee to Develop Guidelines for Management of Patients With Ventricular Arrhythmias and the Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death) Developed in collaboration with the European Heart Rhythm Association and the Heart Rhythm Society
Europace, September 1, 2006; 8(9): 746 - 837.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J Am Coll CardiolHome page
D. Mozaffarian, R. J. Prineas, P. K. Stein, and D. S. Siscovick
Dietary Fish and n-3 Fatty Acid Intake and Cardiac Electrocardiographic Parameters in Humans
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., August 1, 2006; 48(3): 478 - 484.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
JAMAHome page
W. Whang, J. E. Manson, F. B. Hu, C. U. Chae, K. M. Rexrode, W. C. Willett, M. J. Stampfer, and C. M. Albert
Physical Exertion, Exercise, and Sudden Cardiac Death in Women
JAMA, March 22, 2006; 295(12): 1399 - 1403.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
Part 2: Adult Basic Life Support
Circulation, November 29, 2005; 112(22_suppl): III-5 - III-16.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Eur Heart JHome page
X. Jouven, R. N. Lemaitre, T. D. Rea, N. Sotoodehnia, J.-P. Empana, and D. S. Siscovick
Diabetes, glucose level, and risk of sudden cardiac death
Eur. Heart J., October 2, 2005; 26(20): 2142 - 2147.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
D. Mozaffarian, A. Geelen, I. A. Brouwer, J. M. Geleijnse, P. L. Zock, and M. B. Katan
Effect of Fish Oil on Heart Rate in Humans: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Circulation, September 27, 2005; 112(13): 1945 - 1952.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Eur Heart JHome page
G. Thorgeirsson, G. Thorgeirsson, H. Sigvaldason, and J. Witteman
Risk factors for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: the Reykjavik Study
Eur. Heart J., August 1, 2005; 26(15): 1499 - 1505.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
ChestHome page
H. Amital, M. Glikson, M. Burstein, A. Afek, R. Sinnreich, Y. Weiss, and V. Israeli
Clinical Characteristics of Unexpected Death Among Young Enlisted Military Personnel: Results of a Three-Decade Retrospective Surveillance
Chest, August 1, 2004; 126(2): 528 - 533.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Nephrol Dial TransplantHome page
E. Paoletti, C. Specchia, G. Di Maio, D. Bellino, B. Damasio, P. Cassottana, and G. Cannella
The worsening of left ventricular hypertrophy is the strongest predictor of sudden cardiac death in haemodialysis patients: a 10 year survey
Nephrol. Dial. Transplant., July 1, 2004; 19(7): 1829 - 1834.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
ChestHome page
A. Chen and F. M. Kusumoto
QT Dispersion: Much Ado About Something?
Chest, June 1, 2004; 125(6): 1974 - 1977.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Arch Intern MedHome page
I. Goldenberg, M. Jonas, A. Tenenbaum, V. Boyko, S. Matetzky, A. Shotan, S. Behar, and H. Reicher-Reiss
Current Smoking, Smoking Cessation, and the Risk of Sudden Cardiac Death in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease
Arch Intern Med, October 27, 2003; 163(19): 2301 - 2305.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
QJMHome page
T.J. Bowker, D.A. Wood, M.J. Davies, M.N. Sheppard, N.R.B. Cary, J.D.K. Burton, D.R. Chambers, S. Dawling, H.L. Hobson, S.D.M. Pyke, et al.
Sudden, unexpected cardiac or unexplained death in England: a national survey
QJM, April 1, 2003; 96(4): 269 - 279.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
EuropaceHome page
S. G. Priori, E. Aliot, C. Blomstrom-Lundqvist, L. Bossaert, G. Breithardt, P. Brugada, J. A. Camm, R. Cappato, S. M. Cobbe, C. Di Mario, et al.
TASK FORCE ON SUDDEN CARDIAC DEATH, EUROPEAN SOCIETY OF CARDIOLOGY: Summary of Recommendations
Europace, January 1, 2002; 4(1): 3 - 18.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
Arch Gen PsychiatryHome page
W. A. Ray, S. Meredith, P. B. Thapa, K. G. Meador, K. Hall, and K. T. Murray
Antipsychotics and the Risk of Sudden Cardiac Death
Arch Gen Psychiatry, December 1, 2001; 58(12): 1161 - 1167.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
J. Mikkelsson, M. Perola, A. Penttila, and P. J. Karhunen
Platelet Glycoprotein Ib{alpha} HPA-2 Met/VNTR B Haplotype as a Genetic Predictor of Myocardial Infarction and Sudden Cardiac Death
Circulation, August 21, 2001; 104(8): 876 - 880.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Eur Heart JHome page
S.G. Priori, E. Aliot, C. Blomstrom-Lundqvist, L. Bossaert, G. Breithardt, P. Brugada, A.J. Camm, R. Cappato, S.M. Cobbe, C. Di Mario, et al.
Task Force on Sudden Cardiac Death of the European Society of Cardiology
Eur. Heart J., August 2, 2001; 22(16): 1374 - 1450.
[PDF]


Home page
Cardiovasc ResHome page
C. M Albert and J. N Ruskin
Risk stratifiers for sudden cardiac death (SCD) in the community: primary prevention of SCD
Cardiovasc Res, May 1, 2001; 50(2): 186 - 196.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
NEJMHome page
C. M. Albert, M. A. Mittleman, C. U. Chae, I.-M. Lee, C. H. Hennekens, and J. E. Manson
Triggering of Sudden Death from Cardiac Causes by Vigorous Exertion
N. Engl. J. Med., November 9, 2000; 343(19): 1355 - 1361.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
NEJMHome page
B. J. Maron
The Paradox of Exercise
N. Engl. J. Med., November 9, 2000; 343(19): 1409 - 1411.
[Full Text]


Home page
CirculationHome page
X. Jouven, M. Desnos, C. Guerot, and P. Ducimetiere
Predicting Sudden Death in the Population : The Paris Prospective Study I
Circulation, April 20, 1999; 99(15): 1978 - 1983.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Arch Intern MedHome page
R. N. Lemaitre, D. S. Siscovick, T. E. Raghunathan, S. Weinmann, P. Arbogast, and D.-Y. Lin
Leisure-Time Physical Activity and the Risk of Primary Cardiac Arrest
Arch Intern Med, April 12, 1999; 159(7): 686 - 690.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
Y. Friedlander, D. S. Siscovick, S. Weinmann, M. A. Austin, B. M. Psaty, R. N. Lemaitre, P. Arbogast, T. E. Raghunathan, and L. A. Cobb
Family History as a Risk Factor for Primary Cardiac Arrest
Circulation, January 20, 1998; 97(2): 155 - 160.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
ANGIOLOGYHome page
T. J. M. Cleophas, E. Tuinenberg, J. van der Meulen, and K. H. Zwinderman
Wine Consumption and Other Dietary Variables in Males Under 60 Before and After Acute Myocardial Infarction
Angiology, August 1, 1996; 47(8): 789 - 796.
[Abstract] [PDF]