A new study published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology has found that nearly two-thirds of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) cases could be prevented by making simple changes in daily lifestyle, environment, and personal health.

Researchers from Fudan University in Shanghai studied over 500,000 people from the UK Biobank, a long-term health project. They discovered that out of 125 possible risk factors, 56 had strong links to sudden cardiac arrest. These included smoking, lack of exercise, poor diet, obesity, poor sleep, loneliness, high blood pressure, and even time spent watching TV.

According to the study, 3,147 people from the group had suffered sudden cardiac arrest during a follow-up period of nearly 14 years. When researchers compared these individuals to healthy ones, they noticed that simple everyday factors were playing a big role in the risk.

Professor Renjie Chen, the lead researcher, said, “We were surprised that between 40 per cent to 63 per cent of sudden cardiac arrests could be prevented just by improving unhealthy habits.”

Sudden cardiac arrest happens when the heart suddenly stops beating, often without warning. It’s a serious medical emergency and can be fatal if not treated quickly.

The study found that lifestyle changes had the biggest impact. For example, eating healthy, staying active, avoiding smoking and drinking alcohol in moderation could reduce cardiac arrest cases by up to 18 per cent.

Huihuan Luo, another lead researcher, added, “Lifestyle habits were the most powerful factors in reducing risk. Small changes can save lives.”

The study also showed some unexpected results. Spending time on a computer, which is usually considered a sedentary activity, was linked with a lower risk of cardiac arrest. The researchers think this might be because computer users often have higher education levels and better access to health information.

Another surprise was the link between drinking champagne or white wine in moderation and a lower risk of cardiac arrest. Until now, red wine was thought to be the only type of alcohol with heart benefits. “This finding questions old beliefs about alcohol and heart health,” said Nicholas Grubic, a public health student who wrote an editorial on the study.

The study also found that having a positive mindset, reducing stress, maintaining a healthy weight, managing blood pressure, and continuing education all played important roles in reducing the risk of cardiac arrest.

In short, this study shows that many everyday choices—like what we eat, how much we move, and how we manage stress—can have a big impact on heart health. Making small changes today could help prevent serious heart problems tomorrow.

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