After collapsing, Mr C.P. was taken to the emergency department at FV Hospital. Based on tests, and an electrocardiography, doctors identified that the patient was showing typical signs of a heart attack. During the emergency treatment for resuscitation, the patient’s heart rate returned to normal for a moment and then stopped. This dangerous situation repeated three times. However, thanks to the efforts of the emergency team of doctors which included Dr Ho Chau Anh Thu and Dr Nguyen Thanh Binh, through using a defibrillator, heart massage, and infusion, the patient was finally able to regain his breath. After more than 15 minutes of this life-threatening struggle, the patient’s health gradually stabilized, however he still needed the help of ventilators and vasopressors.

Coronary CT findings also showed that the patient had a blockage of the first segment of his anterior ventricular artery which required immediate intervention. Acting with haste, the Cardiac Intervention Team (Cathlab), under the coordination of the Head of Cardiology, Dr Huynh Ngoc Long and Dr Do Thanh Long, quickly administered further treatment. According to Dr Huynh Ngoc Long: “The location of the obstruction is very critical right at the beginning of the anterior ventricular artery. This is like the gateway of many blood vessels having up to 50% of the blood flow to the heart. During this time, without timely intervention, patients are at high risk of sudden death.” With more than 20 years of professional experience in the industry and the skilful coordination of the whole team, the two doctors helped the patient by opening the blood vessels and inserting stent covers to minimize the risk of narrowing in the future. After 20 minutes of successful vascular interventions and drug-coated stents, the patient was transferred to a resuscitation room for further care by FV’s nursing team.

A few days later, the patient’s health gradually recovered. Mr C.P. shared that his health had always been good, having always exercised regularly, so he was quite surprised when suffering from a cardiovascular disease. He wondered, whether the cause of the condition was due to his continuous and intense exercise. Explaining the case, Dr Huynh Ngoc Long shared, “Every physical activity requires a reasonable dose based on physical background and health status. We should avoid excessive exercise, exceeding the endurance of the heart will have unpredictable consequences. And cardiovascular screening is recommend that everyone should have their heart checked periodically preferably every six months or each year for doctors to give accurate advice the intensity and frequency of appropriate exercise, especially those who have any of the following risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, those who have a history of the condition in their family, or those who currently are suffering from a  cardiovascular disease or have done previously.”

Thanks to Mr C.P.’s family’s prompt action in taking him to the emergency department and the coordination of the specialists at FV Hospital, he was fortunate to escape this life-threatening condition. FV’s Emergency Department, Cardiology Department and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) are always fully ready to treat patients.

This case is a good example for young people to take note of, as anyone, at any age can suffer from cardiovascular diseases. The initial symptoms of this condition are very vague, sometimes even just a transient chest pain which the patient does not notice.