Sudden Silent Deaths

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a rapidly fatal event most commonly caused by coronary artery disease, structural heart disorders, or primary electrical abnormalities. Electrical diseases predominate in younger individuals, while hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and inherited arrhythmia syndromes are major contributors in athletes. In dialysis patients, low-potassium dialysate, rapid ultrafiltration, and the first post-weekend session significantly increase arrhythmic risk. In heart failure, arrhythmic deaths dominate in mid-stage disease, whereas pump failure becomes prominent in advanced stages. Early identification of risk factors and implementation of preventive strategies are essential to reduce SCD-related mortality.