Sex Differences in Sudden Cardiac Death

Epidemiological studies of sudden death are challenging because they require several data sources, as death certificate data alone are inadequate. Investigators in Denmark conducted a nationwide study of sex differences in sudden cardiac death using death certificates, autopsy reports, and discharge summaries, as well as physician adjudication.

The Denmark population is about 5.5 million (50% female) and in 2010 there were 54,028 deaths — of which 6867 (13%) were classified as sudden cardiac deaths. These sudden deaths were further divided into definite, probable, and possible. Men accounted for 56% of the sudden deaths and were more highly represented in definite and probable categories. Men with sudden cardiac death were younger (71 years,…