Behavioral risk factors of sudden cardiac arrest

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the association bet ween sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) and the behavioral factors exhaustion and nonexpression of emotions. Methods: Case-control study of 99 victims of SCA and 119 coronary controls, matched for Sender and age. Results: Victims of SCA were more often assessed as exhausted and as closed by their family me mbers than controls. A significant interaction between exhaustion and close ness on the risk of SCA was observed. Those who were exhausted and did not express their emotions had a sevenfold greater risk of SCA. Conclusion: The behavioral factor of exhaustion and nonexpression of emotions may contribu te to the identification of persons at elevated risk for SCA. (C) 2000 Else vier Science Inc. All rights reserved.