For Men at 40, Risk of Cardiac Death 1 in 8

By Kelley Luckstein

Researchers said men at age 40 in the U.S. have a one-in-eight chance of suffering sudden cardiac death over the rest of their lives, a stark indication of the toll cardiovascular disease exacts on society.

For women, researchers said, the risk is 1 in 24. The prevalence has long been of concern to heart and public-health experts, but lifetime risks for the condition haven't previously been estimated, researchers said…

Michael Ackerman, an expert in the genetics of sudden cardiac arrest at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., said that in about 50% of cases, warning signs -- including frequent episodes of dizziness or fainting, or an unexplained drowning or car accident involving a family member -- can indicate risk. "We can reduce sudden cardiac death right now just by being more aware of the warning signs," he said.

Wall Street Journal by Ron Winslow, 11/16/09