Stroke and sudden cardiac arrest are both serious, life-threatening conditions. How can we differentiate between them for effective treatment and prevention? (Minh, 43, Hanoi)

Irregular heartbeats can lead to heart failure, cardiac arrest, stroke, dementia, and, most seriously, sudden death.

A 44-year-old man from Tam Binh ward was found unconscious, not breathing, and motionless while sleeping.

A 35-year-old man suddenly fainted and fell, arriving at the emergency room in a coma. Doctors discovered hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and long QT syndrome, implanting an automatic defibrillator to prevent sudden death.