Sudden Death: Causes and Symptoms

A sudden death is one that is unexpected. Most sudden deaths are caused by cardiovascular diseases. It is important to understand these causes, so that you can provide effective first aid treatment, and reduce the casualty's risk of serious complications.

A sudden death is one that is unexpected. The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines sudden death as a “non-violent death occurring less than 24 hours from the onset of symptoms”. Natural causes are the main causes of sudden death, with cardiovascular diseases accounting for up to 90% of sudden deaths globally. When the cardiovascular system is the cause of the sudden death, it is referred to as sudden cardiac death. In Australia, cardiovascular disease is the biggest cause of early and sudden death. Baker Heart & Diabetes Institute, an Australian medical research institute in Melbourne, stated that sudden cardiac death is a major killer of Australians under 50, and that men are five times more likely to be affected. Today, we are going to look at 5 common causes of sudden death. It is important to understand these causes, so that you can provide effective first aid treatment, and reduce the casualty's risk of serious complications.

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