Abstract: 290 cases of sudden death are reported.Our paper shows that the frequencyof sudden death increased notably from 1949 to 1989(P<0.001).The causesof sudden death in this group are:1.Cardiovascular disease:105 cases(36.2%).2.Respiratory disease:61 cases(21.0%).3.Digestive disease:42 cases(20.7%).4.Neurologic disease:39 cases(13.4%).5.Others:32 cases(11.0%).Our report also shows that sudden death is not the inexorable culminationof advanced coronary arteriosclerosis but instead is the result of ventriculasfibrillation and therefore is readily reversible.The reason why those caserdied suddenly in sleeping is discussed either.Key Words:Sudden death;Coronary arterial disease.