Sudden cardiac death related to gene mutations

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) affects hundreds of thousands of Europeans and Americans. The emergence of SCD is rare in case of athletes (about 1:75000). However, twice, three times likely, individuals of the same age who do not do any sports will have SCD during or after doing physical activities. Excessive strain and stress may provoke cardiac problems especially if individuals are predestined to it. Sudden cardiac death relates to genetic defects. In the process the heart cytoskeleton as well as its sarcomeric proteins are involved. The ion distribution of different extra- and intracellular areas being provided by ion-channel proteins are also affected.

Figure 5. Sudden cardiac death caused by the most common diseases associated with genes.