A mysterious condition that may be causing hundreds of people to die annually in the Australian state of Victoria
SADS, also called Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome, is an "umbrella term to describe unexpected deaths in young people," usually under the age of 40
The most common SADS conditions include genetic arrhythmia syndromes such as long QT syndrome, catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia and Brugada syndrome
Of these, approximately 100 young people per year will have no cause found even after extensive investigations such as a full autopsy
Meanwhile, approximately 210,000 people die suddenly and unexpectedly each year due to sudden cardiac arrest in the United States
Individuals at risk of SADS are those with any first-degree relatives with unexplained cardiac death under 40 years of age, those who have suffered unexplained syncope
The best advice would be, if you yourself have had a first-degree relative - a parent, sibling, child - who’s had an unexplained death, it’s extremely recommended you see a cardiologist
Anyone else, (see a cardiologist) if you have cardiac symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, or you can’t keep up with friends exercising or walking, Paratz said