Champagne and Positivity May Lower Risk of Sudden Cardiac Arrest, Study Finds

A new study has found that drinking champagne, eating more fruit, staying slim, and maintaining a positive outlook may significantly reduce the risk of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).

Published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology, the study examined data from more than 500,000 participants in the UK Biobank over 14 years. Researchers from Fudan University identified 56 non-clinical, modifiable risk factors associated with SCA, including lifestyle, socioeconomic, and environmental factors.

Findings suggest that improving these factors could prevent between 40% and 63% of SCA cases. Notably, the study found a protective effect from moderate champagne and white wine consumption—challenging the long-held belief that only red wine offered cardiovascular benefits.

While the British Heart Foundation continues to advise limiting alcohol intake, researchers say the data indicate a more complex relationship between alcohol and heart health. The study also highlighted the importance of fruit intake, weight control, blood pressure management, and mental wellbeing.

Experts say the findings underscore the need for prevention strategies focused on lifestyle, though they warn that implementing such measures at scale remains complex due to the multifactorial nature of cardiac arrest risk.