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Tackling health and lifestyle issues could prevent thousands of cardiac arrests – in which the heart suddenly stops beating – a new study suggests.
Having champagne or white wine, eating more fruit, maintaining a positive mood, a healthy weight, and keeping blood pressure under control seemed to protect against a cardiac arrest, researchers found.
People who were more educated also seemed less prone to cardiac arrest, the study, published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology, suggested, while poor sleep patterns and a lack of exercise could be detrimental.
A cardiac arrest usually happens without warning, causing sudden collapse and rendering the person unconscious and unable to breathe or breathe normally. Without immediate treatment, people die.

The latest study identified 56 risk factors associated with sudden cardiac arrest and found up to 63 per cent of cases might be avoidable.
“As expected, lifestyles account for the most burden,” the researchers said, adding: “Public awareness campaigns should be further encouraged to promote lifestyle interventions.”
The study looked at 502,094 middle-to-older aged people included in the UK Biobank of data.
Of these, 3,147 people suffered sudden cardiac arrest during a typical follow-up period of 13.8 years.
One of the study’s most intriguing findings is the cardioprotective effect associated with champagne and white wine consumption
From the recent study looking at risk factors for cardiac arrest
The 56 risk factors identified by researchers included lifestyle factors, socio-economic status, and the local environment, such as exposure to air pollution.
The authors concluded that between 40 per cent and 63 per cent of sudden cardiac arrest cases may be avoidable when looking at all 56 risk factors.
For lifestyle factors, researchers found that drinking champagne and/or white wine and a higher fruit intake protected against cardiac arrest, while “fed-up” feelings, having a high body mass index (BMI) and arm-fat mass, high blood pressure, and lower education level all increased the risk.
“The study found significant associations between various modifiable factors and sudden cardiac arrest, with lifestyle changes being the most impactful in preventing cases,” said lead investigator and first author Dr Huihuan Luo, from Fudan University in Shanghai, China.

In an accompanying editorial, Nicholas Grubic from the University of Toronto, and Dakota Gustafson, from Queen’s University in Ontario, said: “One of the study’s most intriguing findings is the cardioprotective effect associated with champagne and white wine consumption, questioning long-held assumptions about the specificity of red wine’s cardioprotective properties.
“Research on the underlying mechanisms remains unclear, but these findings reinforce the idea that the benefits of moderate alcohol consumption may be more complex than previously assumed.”
A cardiac arrest is caused by a dangerous abnormal heart rhythm known as an arrhythmia, which happens when the electrical system in the heart fails to work.
Anyone witnessing a cardiac arrest is urged to call 999 – or the emergency hotline in the country you are in – immediately, start CPR and alert bystanders to get a defibrillator if there is one nearby.
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Lifestyle

Health & Wellness

Health

Study identifies 56 risk factors associated with sudden cardiac arrest, finds 63 per cent of cases might be avoidable with lifestyle changes


Study identifies 56 risk factors associated with sudden cardiac arrest, finds 63 per cent of cases might be avoidable with lifestyle changes.


Disease

Healthy eating

Food and Drinks

How to age well

How to lower cardiac arrest risk? Drink white wine – yes, not red – eat fruit and be happy

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Study identifies 56 risk factors associated with sudden cardiac arrest, finds 63 per cent of cases might be avoidable with lifestyle changes

Study identifies 56 risk factors associated with sudden cardiac arrest, finds 63 per cent of cases might be avoidable with lifestyle changes