TRUE COST OF DEATH

IT is one of the most heartbreaking losses when a loved one literally drops dead – from sudden cardiac arrest.

But this fatal and unexpected event is also a big hit for the economy, with a new report finding it costs Australia $2bn a year in lost productivity.

The Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute analysed 4600 sudden cardiac deaths in Victoria over a year, and extrapolated the findings to the 20,000 that happen nationally annually.

The study found that only 85 per cent of patients died before reaching hospital, and 7 per cent survived to discharge.

With a third of patients working at the time, this cost the Victorian economy $500m at five years follow-up — on par to productivity losses from all cancers combined.