A genetic link has been discovered in sudden cardiac deaths in young people. Data was collected on all sudden cardiac deaths in 1-35 year olds in Australia and New Zealand from 2010 to 2012. It was also revealed that most cases of sudden cardiac death occur while people are sleeping or at rest, challenging the widely held view that most sudden deaths in young people occur during exercise. Of the 145 sudden deaths that were unexplained (40 percent of the total), genetic testing of their DNA was possible in 113. As a result of the research findings, Dr Skinner is advocating for genetic testing to be compulsory in sudden cardiac death investigations.

Source: New Zealand Herald June 29, 2016 05:18 UTC