By: Victoria Iyeduala (Freelance Health and Wellness Writer). Medically reviewed by the DLHA Team.
Five young African adults smiling and posing together
Although there might be cases of sudden, unexpected natural death that could be beyond one's control, striving to reduce your risk is essential. The best way to lower your risk of sudden natural death is to take proper care of your health to the best of your ability. Ways to do this include:
A medical checkup or health screening is when your healthcare provider examines you to ensure there's nothing wrong with your health. The nature and frequency of your health screenings may depend on your age, sex, health status, family medical history and risks for certain health conditions. [15, 16]
Going for regular medical checkups encourages preventive healthcare and improves your chances of catching an illness early, getting treatment early and recovering sooner. This, in turn, could help reduce your risk of dying from the disease. For example, routine medical checkups can help you know and monitor your blood pressure or blood sugar. [16. 17]
It's important you know your family medical history. Your family medical or health history is a record of health information about you and your close relatives — parents, siblings, children, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and grandparents. Because family members are genetically similar, medical conditions may be passed down from one generation to another. [18]
If you know your family medical history, especially if you can provide available family health records, you and your healthcare provider can make better-informed decisions about your health, such as the right screening tests to do or specific lifestyle changes to make. This could result in getting the appropriate care for your health issues and lowering your risk of dying unexpectedly from an illness. [18]
Certain health conditions are hereditary – passed down from generation to generation in a family – because genes carry them. Genes contain DNA that makes up an organism (e.g., a human being) and are inherited from the parents. It's possible to diagnose inheritable medical conditions through genetic testing [19, 20]
Genetic testing, also called genomic testing, is a medical test you do to find changes in your genes that can cause health problems for you and your children. Your doctor can recommend genetic testing based on your family medical history or if you have a health condition that could be inherited. Genetic testing can positively impact your health as it could help with prevention, early detection, effective treatment and proper management of an illness that could cause sudden death. [19, 20]
Cardiovascular diseases are the top causes and risk factors for sudden death. Persistent chest pain is a common symptom many of them share. It's best to see your doctor to ensure nothing is wrong if you feel constant discomfort anywhere in your chest region. Ignoring chest pain may give room for an undiagnosed CVD to escalate and eventually cause serious complications. However, getting an early diagnosis gives you a chance to treat it early or manage it better and recover sooner.
Your healthcare provider is a good authority on maintaining a healthy body and mind. Following your doctor's instructions and recommendations on caring for your health, such as preventive care, treatment plan and recovery process, is essential to successfully maintain good health or manage a health condition. [21, 22]
A plate of fruits and veggies, a glass of water, dumbbells, a stethoscope, a pair of shoes and a prescription lying on a wooden tabletop. Click on image to enlarge.
A healthy lifestyle is a vital preventive measure against noncommunicable and infectious diseases. It's also a crucial component for treating and managing many medical conditions.
A health-conscious lifestyle involves:
Three young African adults seated at a table discussing in a university classroom. Click on image to enlarge.
While striving to become healthier, carrying others with you is also important. This can foster a healthier and happier friendship, family and society.
You could help others lower their risk of sudden natural death by sharing what you know and encouraging people in your circle to take better care of their health.
A nice thing to do for people around you is to share about trusted and helpful health information you discover. You can bring up a specific health topic in a conversation, especially when the conversation leans in that direction – a perfect opportunity.
Causes of sudden natural death and how to lower one's risk, is a vital topic for discussion among your family, friends, neighbours and colleagues. You never know who you might save by sharing your knowledge on the issue of sudden natural death.
However, remember only to share verifiable and reliable information you know. [27]
A verifiable source of information is one that comes from a source that can be easily accessed. It means people you share verifiable information with they can enquire about the topic from reasonable sources themselves and get answers to clarify or back up what you told them. Reasonable sources could be medical professionals, trusted health websites or credible organisations.
A reliable source of information is one obtained from a trusted source such as a medical professional or health website. Examples of trustworthy health websites include websites owned by government agencies or non-profit organisations and websites that publish fact-based, government-approved or expert-backed content.
Another kind thing to do for people around you is to encourage them to take better care of their health. [28] You can motivate people around you by being a positive example to emulate and speaking with them about practising better healthcare. You can encourage them to:
Ultimately, let them know if you notice something bad for their health or learn something that will improve their health.
Unexpected sudden natural death is one that occurs in a person within a short period after last seen in good health. It's also when a person dies unexpectedly of an illness not considered severe enough to cause death.
Certain chronic heart problems, brain disorders, lung diseases and metabolic abnormalities are known causes and risk factors of sudden unexpected natural death.
To reduce your risk, it's essential to:
By cultivating these health-conscious habits as a young African adult, you can protect yourself from several illnesses in the long run.
Additionally, sharing your knowledge with others and motivating them to prioritise their health could help lower their risk of sudden natural death. You can start today by sharing this article or what you learnt from it with your family and friends.
← Unexpected, Sudden natural death: Causes
Published: September 25, 2024
© 2024. Datelinehealth Africa Inc. All rights reserved.
Permission is given to copy, use and share content without alteration or modification and subject to source attribution.
DATELINEHEALTH AFRICA INC., is a digital publisher for informational and educational purposes and does not offer personal medical care and advice. If you have a medical problem needing routine or emergency attention, call your doctor or local emergency services immediately, or visit the nearest emergency room or the nearest hospital. You should consult your professional healthcare provider before starting any nutrition, diet, exercise, fitness, medical or wellness program mentioned or referenced in the DatelinehealthAfrica website. Click here for more disclaimer notice.
