Predicting sudden death in the population: the Paris Prospective Study I

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Preventive Medicine
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Sudden death shares risk factors with coronary events, making specific prediction difficult.
• Parental history of sudden death has not been previously investigated as a risk factor.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess risk factors, including parental sudden death, for sudden death in a long-term cohort study.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 7746 men (43-52 years) from the Paris Prospective Study I (1967-1972).
• Data collected via physical examination, ECG, lab tests, and detailed family medical history questionnaires.
• Exclusion of men with known ischemic cardiac disease; vital status tracked for an average of 23 years.

Main Results:

• Identified independent risk factors for sudden death: resting heart rate, blood pressure, tobacco consumption, BMI, diabetes, cholesterol, and parental history of sudden death.
• Parental sudden death was associated with a 1.80-fold increased relative risk (95% CI, 1.11-2.88) of sudden death, independent of other confounders.

Conclusions:

• Parental sudden death is an independent risk factor for sudden death in middle-aged men.
• Familial risk factors for sudden death can improve identification of high-risk individuals and facilitate early prevention.