Sudden cardiac arrest survival rates are only around 10%, but new research spotted a test that may flag warning in young adulthood.
New Research: High Protein in Urine Predicted Sudden Cardiac Arrest Risk for One Surprising Group
Published on Mar. 23, 2025
You’ve heard the phrase “serious as a heart attack,” but there’s a medical event that many experts would say is even more serious than a heart attack: Cardiac arrest, when the heart stops beating. American Red Cross statistics reveal this happens to more than 350,000 Americans outside of hospital settings every year. Though CPR is a critically useful tool to increase survival odds, the Red Cross shares that unfortunately, around 90% of people do not survive the event.
Past research has looked into possible symptoms leading up to cardiac arrest, but now a South Korean research team has discovered another potential clue—and it’s connected to urine testing.
Published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, the March 2025 study reviewed nationwide health screening data from more than 6.8 million individuals in South Korea. The data, collected between 2009 and 2012, focused on people between the ages of 20 and 39. The participants in the analysis were followed for updates until December 2020.
The data came from self-reported lifestyle and behavioral questionnaires to physical exams that cover blood pressure, weight, waist circumference, and more, all part of the Korean National Health Insurance Service. The screening program also included blood and urine tests, “including protein levels in spot urine samples.”
The study defines proteinuria—which can be identified via a urine dipstick test—as “elevated levels of protein excreted in urine.” The team further explains: “Although prior studies have suggested that proteinuria of any degree is unlikely to directly cause cardiovascular disease, it can serve as a valuable surrogate marker for identifying and treating associated modifiable risk factors,” noting that there’s been little information about the potential link previously.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, proteinuria is a condition affecting about 6.7% of Americans and “may increase your risk of death from heart disease and cardiovascular disease.”
The analysis revealed some key difference between those with proteinuria versus those without it. Individuals with proteinuria results experienced a “higher proportion” of several health conditions:
- Hypertension
- Diabetes
- Dyslipidemia (abnormal levels of fat in the bloodstream)
The researchers noted the “prevalence was very low,” but participants with proteinuria also experienced heart failure and atrial fibrillation more frequently than those without proteinuria.
Though a relatively small number of the participants experienced sudden cardiac arrest—5,352 people, or .08% of the sample—researchers identified that individuals who experienced sudden cardiac arrest tended to be:
- Men
- Older
- Current smokers
- Heavy drinkers
Chronic kidney disease was also observed in “higher proportions” of those with proteinuria who also experienced sudden cardiac arrest.
Proteinuria was “significantly associated” with an increased risk of sudden cardiac arrest in young people, according to the study, with the team stating their analysis showed urine protein testing “can be a reliable surrogate marker” for sudden cardiac arrest in younger adults. However, they also noted they “cannot conclude whether a cause‐and‐effect relationship exists” between proteinuria and sudden cardiac arrest.
One possible explanation that might be a telling takeaway for us all is that high protein is often associated with higher meat intake. This might further help speak to the effects of frequent meat consumption on heart health.
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