Sudden Cardiac Arrest in the Young: What Every Parent Should Know

By Dr. Georgie Thomas 
Consultant Cardiologist, Burjeel Hospital 

When a young person collapses suddenly, the term “cardiac arrest” is often used, sometimes without a clear understanding of what it truly means. It is important to clarify a fundamental concept: every death ultimately involves cardiac arrest, because life cannot continue once the heart stops. However, cardiac arrest itself is not a diagnosis—it is the final event. Determining why the heart stopped requires careful medical evaluation, post-mortem analysis, and in many cases, forensic and genetic studies. 

Understanding this distinction is crucial, particularly when sudden deaths occur in children and teenagers who appear healthy, active, and symptom-free. 

How Can Sudden Cardiac Arrest Occur in Healthy Teenagers? 

In individuals aged 35 years or younger, the most common causes of sudden cardiac death are genetic heart conditions. These conditions often remain silent for years and may not cause any visible signs until a catastrophic event occurs. 

The most frequently identified conditions include: 

• Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) 

• Brugada Syndrome 

• Long QT Syndrome 

These disorders predispose the heart to dangerous electrical disturbances, known as arrhythmias. A sudden abnormal rhythm—such as ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation—can cause the heart to stop abruptly. Everyday triggers such as excess caffeine, sleep deprivation, dehydration, or certain over-the-counter medications can sometimes precipitate these fatal rhythms in susceptible individuals. 

Many of these young people appear completely normal—until they are not. 

Heart Attack vs. Sudden Cardiac Arrest: What’s the Difference? 

The terms heart attack and cardiac arrest are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same. 

A heart attack occurs when a blood vessel supplying the heart muscle becomes suddenly blocked, usually by a clot or cholesterol plaque. This can happen in both young and older individuals. 

Cardiac arrest, on the other hand, refers to the complete cessation of effective heart activity, most commonly due to a lethal arrhythmia. While a heart attack can lead to cardiac arrest, many cases of cardiac arrest—especially in the young—occur without any blockage in the heart arteries. 

Simply put: 
➡️ Heart attacks can cause cardiac arrest, but not all cardiac arrests are caused by heart attacks. 

How Common Is Sudden Cardiac Death in the Young in the UAE? 

Accurate data in the UAE is challenging to obtain due to the highly diverse and constantly changing population, with people from many genetic backgrounds arriving and departing regularly. This makes long-term genetic tracking difficult. 

Based on international data and textbook references, approximately 10–20% of sudden cardiac deaths are attributed to inherited cardiac conditions. The true number may be higher, as many cases go undiagnosed. 

Are There Warning Signs Parents Should Not Ignore? 

Most so-called “undiagnosed” cardiac conditions do produce warning symptoms, but these are often overlooked or dismissed. 

Parents should take note of symptoms such as: 

• Unexplained palpitations 

• Fainting or loss of consciousness 

• Recurrent dizziness or blackout spells 

• Collapse during or after exercise 

Importantly, up to 90% of genetic cardiac diseases have a family history, often involving a first- or second-degree relative who died suddenly at a young age. Awareness of one’s family medical history can be lifesaving. 

When Should Children Be Screened? 

Cardiac screening should be considered when there is: 

• A family history of sudden or unexplained death 

• Symptoms such as fainting, palpitations, or exercise intolerance 

• Known inherited cardiac conditions in relatives 

Early evaluation can allow for monitoring, lifestyle adjustments, medical therapy, or device implantation—measures that dramatically reduce risk. 

What Can Save a Life During Cardiac Arrest? 

The answer is simple, and it cannot be emphasized enough: 
CPR. CPR. CPR. 

Immediate Basic Life Support (BLS) and cardiopulmonary resuscitation are the single most important interventions in cardiac arrest. Every minute without CPR reduces survival significantly. 

Too often, patients are brought to hospitals unconscious and too late because bystanders panic instead of acting. If people remain calm, initiate CPR, and continue until emergency services arrive, a young life may be saved and given a chance for diagnosis and definitive treatment. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1.What is the difference between sudden cardiac arrest and a heart attack in a young person?

A heart attack is caused by a blocked artery that cuts off blood supply to the heart muscle. Cardiac arrest is when the heart stops beating entirely, usually due to a dangerous electrical rhythm. In young people, cardiac arrest is far more commonly caused by inherited electrical or structural heart conditions than by blocked arteries. The two are related but distinct — a heart attack can trigger cardiac arrest, but most cardiac arrests in the young occur without any arterial blockage.

2.Can a healthy, active teenager die from cardiac arrest?

Yes, and this is precisely what makes sudden cardiac death so devastating. Conditions such as Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), Long QT Syndrome, and Brugada Syndrome can remain completely hidden for years. A young person may pass every routine physical examination and still carry a genetic condition that puts them at risk. Physical exertion, dehydration, or even stimulants like energy drinks can trigger a fatal arrhythmia in susceptible individuals.

3.What are the early warning signs of a dangerous heart condition in children and teenagers?

Warning signs include unexplained fainting — particularly during or after exercise — recurrent dizziness, palpitations, an irregular or racing heartbeat, and a family history of sudden unexplained death. These symptoms are commonly dismissed as anxiety, dehydration, or growing pains. Any child or teenager experiencing these symptoms should be evaluated by a cardiologist.

4.How do I know if my child needs cardiac screening?

Cardiac screening is recommended if there is a family history of sudden cardiac death, if a close relative has been diagnosed with an inherited heart condition such as HCM or Long QT Syndrome, or if the child experiences symptoms such as fainting, exercise intolerance, or palpitations. Screening typically includes an ECG and echocardiogram, and may be supplemented with genetic testing.

5.Are energy drinks and caffeine dangerous for young people with undiagnosed heart conditions?

Yes. In individuals with undetected genetic heart conditions, stimulants such as caffeine, energy drinks, and certain cold or decongestant medications can trigger abnormal heart rhythms. This is one reason why sudden cardiac deaths occasionally follow intense physical activity or the consumption of high-caffeine products. Until a cardiac condition is definitively ruled out, young people with symptoms should avoid these substances.

6.What should I do if someone collapses from cardiac arrest?

Call emergency services immediately. Begin CPR without delay — push hard and fast in the centre of the chest at a rate of 100–120 compressions per minute. If an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is nearby, use it as soon as possible. Every minute without CPR reduces survival rates significantly. Do not wait for the ambulance to arrive before starting resuscitation — your immediate action is what keeps the person alive.

7.Is sudden cardiac arrest in young people preventable?

In the majority of cases, yes. Nearly 90% of sudden cardiac deaths in young people are linked to identifiable conditions that can be detected through proper screening, family history review, and medical evaluation. With timely diagnosis, many of these individuals can be treated effectively and go on to lead full, active lives. The key is awareness — from parents, schools, coaches, and healthcare providers alike.

8.What genetic heart conditions are most commonly linked to sudden cardiac death in the UAE?

The most commonly implicated conditions globally — and relevant to the UAE’s diverse population — are Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, Brugada Syndrome, Long QT Syndrome, and Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC). The UAE’s multicultural demographic means that genetic variants from South Asian, Arab, African, and Southeast Asian populations all contribute to the risk profile, making population-wide screening and genetic counselling especially important.

9.Should schools and sports clubs have AEDs and CPR-trained staff?

Absolutely. Given that physical exertion is a recognized trigger for cardiac events in susceptible individuals, every school, sports facility, and public venue should have an accessible Automated External Defibrillator and at least one trained CPR responder on site. Many sudden cardiac deaths in young athletes occur in exactly these settings, where rapid defibrillation within the first few minutes would have been lifesaving.

Conclusion: Awareness Is the First Line of Defence

Sudden cardiac arrest in a young person is every parent’s worst nightmare — and yet, in the majority of cases, it is not entirely without warning. Genetic heart conditions leave traces: in family history, in fleeting symptoms, and in diagnostic tests that can detect the risk before a crisis occurs.

Parents must be informed, vigilant, and proactive. A family history of unexplained sudden death is not something to be quietly noted and set aside — it is a clinical signal that warrants immediate medical attention. Symptoms that seem minor — a faint, a racing heart, a dizzy spell after sport — deserve proper evaluation, not reassurance alone.

And beyond screening, every adult, parent, teacher, and caregiver should know how to perform CPR. It is not a medical skill reserved for professionals. It is a human skill that can keep someone’s child alive long enough to receive the care they need.

The heart of a young person should not stop without a fight. With the right knowledge, the right screening, and the courage to act, most of them never have to.

Take Action — Your Child’s Heart Health Cannot Wait

If your child has experienced fainting, palpitations, or dizziness — or if your family has a history of sudden cardiac death — do not wait for another episode. Early cardiac evaluation can identify hidden conditions before they become emergencies.

Book a Pediatric Cardiac Consultation at Burjeel Hospital, Abu Dhabi today. Our specialist cardiology team provides comprehensive genetic cardiac screening, risk assessment, and personalized management — giving your family the answers and reassurance you deserve.

Learn CPR. Ask our team about Basic Life Support training available through Burjeel Hospital, Abu Dhabi