Sudden cardiac death is often described as one of the most devastating and dangerous clinical manifestations of cardiovascular disease. Yet, beneath that sudden collapse lie long-overlooked warnings that have been shaped over years or even decades by chronic conditions such as coronary heart disease, hypertension and high cholesterol.

In this episode of Health Talk, we speak with Dr. Yang Yuejin, chief physician at the Coronary Heart Disease Center of Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College. Drawing on decades of clinical experience, Dr. Yang offers a clear and accessible look into what really happens when the heart suddenly stops working. He further highlights a range of subtle, often silent warning signs that many people dismiss or fail to recognize.

The conversation also covers the everyday factors that shape cardiovascular health. Hypertension, smoking, obesity and other common risks are deeply embedded in daily life. As Dr. Yang explains, managing them does not begin in the hospital, but in the choices we make each day. It is about how we eat, move, rest and care for our bodies over time.

It is time for us to rethink heart health and review our overall health and lifestyle. With the right knowledge and action, such life-threatening events can often be prevented.

Executive producer: Zhang Jingwen

Producer: Yang Sha

Directors: Xu Wen, Wang Yuxin, and Zhong Xia

Video editors: Wang Xueying, Li Changkui

Videographers: Wang Zihao, Xu Haiquan, and Chen Jiazheng