An apparatus, a method, and a computer program for predicting a risk for a cardiac death are presented. Early repolarization patterns in leads of an electrocardiogram recorded from a subject are detected if an amplitude of a J-point at a QRS complex and ST segment junction of a lead exceeds a predetermined amplitude threshold. Amplitude patterns of ST segments in leads of the electrocardiogram are also determined. Finally, an elevated risk for a future cardiac death of the subject on the basis of a possible arrhythmia is predicted if early repolarization patterns are detected in at least two leads of the electrocardiogram, and if the ST segments in the at least two leads of the electrocardiogram are determined to have a horizontal or descending amplitude pattern.