Which type of death occurs within a few hours of symptoms appearing or without any symptoms?

Sudden death refers to an unexpected death that occurs rapidly, typically within minutes or hours, often without prior warning or noticeable symptoms. This type of death can be caused by various medical conditions, such as a heart attack, stroke, or arrhythmia, which may not present significant signs before the event. This characteristic distinguishes it from other types of death, which may involve a more gradual decline in health or more evident symptoms preceding the event.

In contrast, accidental death usually involves unintentional injury as its cause, often leading to longer periods where symptoms may be observed prior to the fatal incident. Natural death is typically the result of age or disease progression, which tends to indicate a longer diagnosis period and a clear set of symptoms. Terminal death, while close to the end of life, often implies a noticeable decline over time with specific clinical signs indicating that death is near. Thus, sudden death is uniquely defined by its abrupt onset following the appearance of symptoms or even occurring without any prior signs.