Sudden death of female university student jogger! Experts suggest: popularize CPR, add AEDs in public places

 Recently, a female university student at Shanxi University of Finance and Economics suddenly collapsed after running more than 200 meters during a group jog, and died after a series of emergency resuscitation was ineffective. Once the news was sent out, it sparked concern across the net.

　　In recent years, news like this is not uncommon, so what should the general public do when a similar situation occurs? In response, Chen Chen, a member of the Youth Committee of the Chinese Medical Association's Scientific Popularization Branch and director of Ward 3 of the Department of Neurology at the Cardiovascular Hospital of Shanxi Province, said that the incidence of sudden death is high worldwide and that cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the addition of AEDs (external defibrillators) in public places should be popularized.

　　What is sudden death?

　　According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), sudden death is the sudden death of a healthy or seemingly healthy patient from natural causes within an unexpectedly short period of time.

　　Sudden death is not without warning, but can be triggered when a patient suffers from certain underlying cardiac conditions, overexertion, prolonged sleepless nights, and stressful situations such as happiness and grief.

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　　How to help in case of sudden death?

　　Chen Chen said that the golden time for sudden death first aid is four minutes, within which time timely CPR and effective measures can be taken and about half of the people can be saved. In addition to CPR and other first aid methods, the effective use of AEDs can also save patients from sudden death.

　　 "As a member of the Chinese Medical Association for the Popularisation of Science, I have always told people that each of us must master and learn the knowledge and operation of first aid related to CPR and the correct use of AED external defibrillators, so that in case of an emergency, we can give a helping hand to those around us in time to help save precious lives." It is understood that the current prevalence of cardiovascular disease in China is on a continuous rise, and Chen Chen said that it is urgent to train the public on CPR norms.

　　It is important to note that sudden cardiac death is not only common in patients with various cardiovascular diseases, but can also occur in seemingly "healthy" people. Therefore, people with a family history of sudden death, those with coronary heart disease and those with heart failure are three groups of people who need to focus on preventing sudden cardiac death.

　　In addition, Chen Chen recommends that adults with or without a medical history should have regular check-ups. For patients with coronary artery disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or hereditary diseases, especially those with a family history of sudden death, it is important to undergo regular coronary CT, myocardial nuclear scan and ambulatory ECG to detect high-risk triggers early through more specialised means.