Many people who experience sudden cardiac arrest have no prior diagnosis — which is part of what makes it so devastating. However, there are warning signs that should always be taken seriously and investigated:
Unexplained fainting, particularly during or immediately after exercise, or in response to a sudden loud noise or fright.
Unexplained seizures that your doctor has not been able to explain with a neurological cause.
Palpitations — a racing, fluttering, or irregular heartbeat — that come on during physical activity.
Significant breathlessness or dizziness during exercise that seems disproportionate to the effort.
A family history of young sudden death — anyone in your family who died suddenly and unexpectedly under the age of 40, or who was found to have an inherited heart condition.
A known inherited cardiac condition in a close relative, even if you have no symptoms yourself.
If any of these apply to you or a family member, do not wait. Speak to your GP about a referral to a cardiologist, or ask specifically about a referral to an inherited cardiac conditions (ICC) clinic. Many inherited heart conditions are highly treatable when identified early.