Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. It strikes without warning, often proving fatal within minutes, and its impact goes far beyond the individual—it devastates families and communities.
Despite being a major public health concern, much about what causes SCA has remained unclear, particularly when it comes to how everyday lifestyle and environmental factors might contribute to the risk.
Now, a new study published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology has uncovered 56 non-clinical risk factors linked to SCA and provides strong evidence that many of these risks can be modified. In fact, the researchers found that by improving these risk profiles, up to 63% of SCA cases could potentially be prevented.
The study was led by Dr. Huihuan Luo from Fudan University in Shanghai, with co-investigator Dr. Renjie Chen, and involved data from the UK Biobank—a large database of health information from over 500,000 people in the UK. What makes this study different from earlier research is its wide-ranging approach.
Previous studies often focused on just a few possible causes, based on existing medical theories. This time, researchers took a broader look, using what’s called an “exposome-wide association study” to examine the full range of environmental and lifestyle factors that could affect SCA risk.
The team also used a genetic method called Mendelian randomization to help identify which of these factors may actually cause SCA, rather than just being linked to it by coincidence.
Among the 56 modifiable risk factors they studied, lifestyle habits stood out as the most powerful tools for prevention. Improvements in diet, physical activity, mood, education, and weight management had a strong impact on reducing the risk of SCA.
Even simple changes—like eating more fruit, managing blood pressure, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding smoking—were linked to better outcomes.
The study found that if just the worst third of all risk factors were improved, 40% of SCA cases could be prevented. And if the worst two-thirds were improved, up to 63% of cases might be avoided. These figures offer hope for preventing thousands of deaths each year, simply by supporting healthier lifestyles and living conditions.
An unexpected finding was the potential heart benefit of moderate champagne or white wine consumption, challenging the long-held belief that only red wine might offer protection. While the reasons behind this are still unclear, it suggests the relationship between alcohol and heart health may be more complex than previously thought.
Another surprising observation was that more computer use seemed to be linked to lower SCA risk. But the researchers caution against jumping to conclusions—this result likely reflects broader social or economic differences among participants, rather than a true protective effect of screen time. When they adjusted their analysis using genetic tools, this link disappeared.
What makes this study particularly important is its focus on prevention. Instead of only reacting to SCA after it happens, the researchers urge a shift toward public health strategies that prevent it in the first place. That means making sure people understand and can act on key health factors early—before an emergency occurs.
In an editorial published alongside the study, Canadian researchers Nicholas Grubic and Dr. Dakota Gustafson emphasized the need for a broader view of prevention.
They point out that SCA is complex—it can result from genetics, heart disease, environmental factors, and lifestyle habits. So, reducing risk will require a multi-layered strategy that includes public health campaigns, better access to care, and support for healthier living, especially in underserved communities.
In conclusion, this groundbreaking study offers a clear message: sudden cardiac arrest doesn’t have to be so sudden or so deadly.
With the right public health actions—like promoting healthy lifestyles, addressing inequality, and supporting early prevention—many cases could be avoided. The challenge now is to turn this science into practice, giving people the knowledge and tools they need to protect their hearts before it’s too late.
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The research findings can be found in Canadian Journal of Cardiology.
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