Death, Sudden, Cardiac

**Definition:** Unexpected rapid natural death due to cardiovascular collapse within one hour of initial symptoms. It is usually caused by the worsening of existing heart diseases. The sudden onset of symptoms, such as CHEST PAIN and CARDIAC ARRHYTHMIAS, particularly VENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA, can lead to the loss of consciousness and cardiac arrest followed by biological death. (from Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine, 7th ed., 2005)

**Tree numbers:** - C14.280.383.220 - C23.550.260.322.250

**Synonyms:** - Cardiac Sudden Death - Sudden Cardiac Death