Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Dec 4: A startling rise in sudden cardiac deaths (SCD), particularly among young adults, has become a growing global concern. Now, a major study by Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark, has revealed that diabetes — a disease affecting hundreds of millions worldwide — is strongly associated with this alarming trend.

Published in the European Heart Journal, the study examined 54,028 deaths recorded in Denmark in 2010. Of these, 6,862 were identified as sudden cardiac deaths—cases where the heart abruptly stops functioning, often without any prior symptoms.

Researchers found that individuals with diabetes face a significantly higher risk:

• People with type 1 diabetes have a 3.7 times greater risk of SCD

• People with type 2 diabetes are at 6.5 times higher risk

The risk is most pronounced among younger individuals. Those under 50 living with diabetes face nearly seven times the risk compared to those without the condition.

Doctors explain that diabetes can lead to complications such as ischaemic heart disease, dangerously low blood sugar, and nerve damage affecting heart rhythm — all of which can contribute to sudden cardiac events.

Along with a higher risk of sudden cardiac death, diabetes greatly reduces life expectancy. The study notes that those with type 1 diabetes lose an average of 14.2 years, while type 2 patients lose 7.9 years — with sudden cardiac deaths accounting for a substantial portion of these years.

Health experts caution that while the study clearly shows a strong association, more detailed research is needed to determine exactly how diabetes triggers sudden cardiac death. They emphasise the need for early diagnosis, better disease management and lifestyle intervention to protect younger populations increasingly affected by the condition.

As diabetes cases continue to rise globally, the findings serve as a crucial wake-up call for healthcare systems and families alike.