Prince Harald of Hohenzollern dies of sudden cardiac death – 7 warning signs you should know
The unexpected death of Prince Harald von Hohenzollern once again brings the issue of sudden cardiac death into focus. 65,000 people die from it every year in Germany alone. Here are some warning signs you should be aware of.
She now needs time to grieve and be there for her unborn child. "Therefore, I will be withdrawing from the election campaign and social media in the coming days." Josefa von Hohenzollern only officially announced her candidacy for mayor of the city of Leonberg on Friday, June 20, 2025.
Suddenly, the heartbeat stops. Blood pressure drops to zero. Those affected feel a blankness in their head and collapse unconscious after about eight seconds. Within two to three minutes, breathing stops – and death occurs after about ten minutes. These are the sad facts surrounding sudden cardiac death , which claims the lives of 65,000 people annually in Germany alone.
As Dietrich Andresen, former chairman of the German Heart Foundation, explains, this is not usually a fateful event from which there is no escape: "Sudden cardiac death is usually a complication of long-standing cardiovascular disease," says the heart specialist. Those most at risk are those who suffer from it and are unaware of it.
- In the video: Underestimated symptom increases heart risk – from the age of 50 you should get tested
Certain symptoms may occur prior to cardiac arrest.
You should look out for these warning signs:
- chest pain
- shortness of breath
- palpitations
- Heart palpitations
- Brief loss of consciousness
- Dizziness
- Imminent unconsciousness
Autopsies of those who died of sudden cardiac death revealed that 75 percent had coronary heart disease, or CHD for short . This is a shocking figure, given that experts estimate that around six million people in Germany are affected. CHD occurs most frequently in people over the age of 40.
The reason: CHD is often the result of other diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes and lipid metabolism disorders such as high cholesterol levels.
But what exactly is coronary heart disease? According to the German Heart Foundation, it is a circulatory disorder of the heart muscle due to a narrowing of the coronary arteries. This, in turn, leads to scarring of the heart muscle and thus promotes cardiac arrhythmias. The disease also frequently causes heart failure.
However, sudden cardiac death can also be caused by other diseases – especially in people under 40. These can range from myocarditis, which is triggered by an untreated infection, i.e. bacteria and viruses, to congenital heart defects and genetically caused heart diseases.
This includes, for example, so-called ion channel disease, a disturbance in the excitation of the heart muscle. Another cause can also play a role, especially in younger people: the use of drugs such as cocaine and amphetamines.
The best strategy to protect yourself from sudden cardiac death is prevention. It's important to identify risk factors and heart disease early enough. "We advise men and women over the age of 40—and even earlier with a family history—to have regular checkups with their family doctor," explains Andresen. If the doctor diagnoses a heart condition, it must be monitored regularly by a cardiologist.
If it turns out that it is a congenital heart defect, those affected should go to an ACHD cardiologist who specializes in adults with congenital heart defects (ACHD).
If cardiac arrest occurs, those close to the victim must react quickly. The lack of oxygen transport can lead to organ damage within minutes – especially the brain. The German Heart Foundation recommends the following steps:
1. Check if the person is responsive! Shake both shoulders and ask their name and what happened.
2. Check the person's mouth and nose to see if they're still breathing. To do this, tilt the unconscious person's head upwards. Wheezing and gasping are typical of the initial phase after cardiac arrest.
3. If this happens, call an emergency doctor immediately on 112 .
4. Begin chest compressions immediately: The person should be lying on a hard surface. Kneel next to the person and place one hand on the center of the chest, the other hand on top, and quickly compress the sternum toward the spine about five to six centimeters – approximately 100 to 120 compressions per minute. Release the pressure after each compression, and do not interrupt the massage by administering breaths.
An example of the correct timing is the song "Staying Alive" by the Bee Gees. Background: Chest compressions create a bloodstream and transport blood with oxygen to the brain – thus preventing thousands of brain cells from dying.
5. If you are alone with the affected person without any other helpers, you must continue the massage until the emergency services arrive and under no circumstances interrupt it – this will cause too many brain cells to die.
If there are two of you, the other rescuer will get a defibrillator if one is nearby. With an AED (Automated External Defibrillator), you will then follow the instructions of the integrated voice module.
FOCUS
