Sex Hormones Related to Sudden Cardiac Arrest Risk

High levels of sex hormones in the blood might increase risk of sudden cardiac arrest, a new research states.

Researchers examined the sex hormone levels in 149 patients who had suffered cardiac arrest. Their details were compared to levels measured in the same number of people suffering from coronary heart disease.

According to their findings, the first group had higher levels of estradiol and lower levels of testosterone. Men in the cardiac arrest group had 4.4 nanogrammes of testosterone and 68 picogrammes of estradiol per milliliter whereas the men in the second group had 5.4 nanogrammes of testosterone and 52 picogrammes of estradiol.

Researchers noted the findings for women in the cardiac arrest group. It stated that women had 54 picogrammes of estradiol compared to 36 picogrammes per milliliter in the women with coronary artery disease.

"Because sudden cardiac arrest is usually fatal, we are constantly looking for ways to predict which patients are susceptible so we can concentrate on prevention. If we wait until someone has a sudden cardiac arrest, it is usually too late for treatment," Sumeet Chugh, MD, director of the Heart Rhythm Center in the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute reportedly said in a press release.

The findings were a part of the Oregon Sudden Unexpected Death Study that examines cardiac deaths in Oregon.

"This is the first time it has been reported that there is an association between sex hormone levels and sudden cardiac arrest," Chugh said.

People with high risk of cardiac arrest are implanted with an electrical stimulation device, similar to a defibrillator.

The study was published in the peer-reviewed journal Heart Rhythm.