Sudden cardiac deaths (SCD) occur in a small but very important proportion of individuals under 40 years of age. Researchers sought to report on the temporal trends in the incidence and characteristics of SCD in this age group.

• Data from 5,869 consecutive autopsy verified SCD victims in Northern Finland during 1998-2017 were prospectively gathered in the Fingesture study.

• A total of 5,869 SCDs were recorded; of these, 160 occurred in individuals under 40 years of age (3%) indicating a total incidence of 2.9/100,000/year.

• Per findings, individuals under 40 years of age had a decrease in the incidence of SCD in Northern Finland during 1998-2017.

• According to autopsy data, non ischemic myocardial diseases account for most of the deaths and there has been a decrease in the relative proportion of coronary artery disease.