Sudden cardiac arrest is described as the abrupt, unexpected loss of heart function, breathing, and consciousness, which usually results from an electrical disturbance in the heart that disrupts normal pumping action and blood flow to the rest of the body. An analysis of data from the Oregon Sudden Unexpected Death Study indicates that the risk of sudden cardiac arrest was 2.3 times greater for the individuals in the study who had the lowest blood calcium levels compared to those with the highest calcium levels. The research team says its findings should be interpreted with caution, and future research is needed to determine the relationship and to determine if controlling calcium levels can reduce the risk of sudden cardiac arrest.
Mayo Clinic Proceedings, October 2017