Final answer:
Sudden cardiac death can often be associated with congenital heart defects like Tetralogy of Fallot or coronary artery abnormalities due to atherosclerosis which restricts blood flow and oxygen delivery to heart tissue.
Step-by-step explanation:
Many cases of sudden cardiac death can be attributed to congenital defects and coronary artery abnormalities.
Coronary artery disease, leading to sudden cardiac death, is often due to atherosclerosis, a condition where plaque buildup obstructs blood flow within the arteries. This plaque is composed of cholesterol, white blood cells, connective tissue, and smooth muscle cells. The resulting restriction in blood flow is called ischemia, leading to hypoxia or insufficient oxygen reaching the heart tissue.
Among congenital defects related to sudden cardiac death, Tetralogy of Fallot is notable. It encompasses four heart malformations, which can severely impact oxygenation of blood. The most distinctive of those defects is the ventricular septal defect, accompanied by an obstruction of the pulmonary valve, an overriding aorta, and right ventricular hypertrophy.
Another condition, patent ductus arteriosus, involves the failure of the ductus arteriosus to close after birth, affecting the normal blood flow through the heart vessels.