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Sudden death in Cork and Kerry - results of a one year survey and a review of the literature

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Abstract

The aims of this survey were to determine the prevalence of premonitory symptoms and the cardiac risk factor profile in persons dying suddenly and also to assess the awareness of their relatives of cardiac symptoms and risk factors. Five hundred and ninety three questionnaires were sent to relatives of persons announced as having died suddenly in the local daily newspaper. Of 336 replies received, 319 replies were used for analysis. One hundred and thirty seven persons were identified who died within one hour of symptom onset or during sleep suggesting probable sudden cardiac death. Forty three of these experienced recent onset chest pain and 18 percent onset ‘indigestion’, and a further five experienced both prodromal symptoms.

Risk factor awareness of relatives of the deceased was low. Smoking was identified by 42 %, raised cholesterol by 30% and elevated blood pressure by 13%. Symptom awareness was also low, chest and arm pain identified by 25% and breathlessness by 16%.

These results indicate that further public education to increase awareness of cardiac warning symptoms and risk factors is needed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cardiology, University College Cork, Cork Regional Hospital, Wilton, Cork

    P. Kearney, C. Vaughan, F. Fennell, S. McKiernan & W. Fennell

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Kearney, P., Vaughan, C., Fennell, F. et al. Sudden death in Cork and Kerry - results of a one year survey and a review of the literature. I.J.M.S. 163, 16–24 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02943008

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