Sudden coronary death in Copenhagen city

In 1968 and 1972--1973 investigations in Copenhagen city were performed in order to acquire data concerning the occurrence of acute ischaemic heart disease (AIHD), including sudden coronary death (SCD). The incidence of AIHD was 0.4% with a total mortality of 56%. Of all patients with AIHD 40--45% terminated in SCD, being responsible for about a quarter of all deaths in Copenhagen city at that time. Patients suffering CSD had more seldom a previous history of ischaemic heart disease (IHD) than patients with AIHD not complicated by cardiac arrest/SCD. Patients with a previous history of IHD and/or prodromal symptoms had a longer decision time before calling a doctor or an ambulance than patients without such symptoms, especially the elderly. The decision time was neither affected by the day of the week nor the month of the year with regard to the occurrence of cardiac symptoms. On the other hand, the mean decision time was significantly longer if symptoms began between 12 midnight and 8 a.m. compared with the other times of the day. The study showed finally that younger people are more liable to die from SCD outside hospital than the elderly.