Mr. Hao started smoking cigarettes as a student, sometimes consuming a pack a day. At 24, he switched to water pipes, believing they were less harmful. About three years ago, he was diagnosed with hypertension but didn't receive consistent treatment. According to doctors at Hong Ngoc General Hospital, these factors contributed to the decline of his cardiovascular health over nearly 30 years.
About 10 days before being hospitalized, Mr. Hao experienced short, sharp chest pains on his left side, accompanied by shortness of breath. The pain worsened with exertion and even occurred during rest. As the pain intensified, preventing sleep, he decided to visit the cardiology department at Hong Ngoc Phuc Truong Minh General Hospital. He was diagnosed with a heart attack and immediately transferred to the intervention room for a coronary angiogram.
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Image of Mr. Hao's severely narrowed left anterior descending artery. Photo: Hospital provided |
The angiogram revealed a critical narrowing of his left anterior descending artery and an 80-90% blockage in the right coronary artery. Without prompt intervention, his condition could have drastically worsened. He underwent immediate stent placement in the left anterior descending artery to prevent dangerous complications from the acute heart attack.
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Image of Mr. Hao's left anterior descending artery after stent placement restored blood flow to the heart. Photo: Hospital provided |
Dr. Le Duc Hiep, a specialist and resident doctor in the cardiology and interventional cardiology department at Hong Ngoc Phuc Truong Minh General Hospital, led the team that performed Mr. Hao's stent placement. "The left anterior descending artery was severely narrowed," Dr. Hiep explained. "Without immediate intervention, the patient could have faced serious heart attack complications, such as severe heart failure leading to cardiogenic shock and life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias."
Mr. Hao received a stent to reopen the left anterior descending artery, the cause of his acute heart attack. Another severe blockage in his right coronary artery will be addressed during his hospital stay.
Both stent placements were successful. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) confirmed that the stents were properly positioned against the artery walls, and blood flow was restored. After the procedure, Mr. Hao's chest pain subsided, and his condition stabilized.
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Mr. Hao with Dr. Hiep before being discharged. Photo: Hospital provided |
"I was terrified when I received the heart attack diagnosis," Mr. Hao admitted. "After this experience, I'm determined to quit smoking cigarettes and water pipes for good."
Dr. Hiep emphasized the significant impact of water pipe smoking on cardiovascular health, even more so than cigarettes, due to higher nicotine content. He advised against smoking, particularly for individuals with underlying conditions like hypertension or diabetes. He also recommended regular cardiovascular checkups, especially for those experiencing symptoms such as chest pain or shortness of breath. For those with hypertension, adhering to prescribed treatment and avoiding self-discontinuation of medication is crucial, as hypertension is a major risk factor for life-threatening heart attacks.
Kim Anh
The cardiology and interventional cardiology department at Hong Ngoc General Hospital provides comprehensive cardiovascular care, from medical treatment to advanced interventional procedures. The hospital maximizes health insurance coverage to minimize patient expenses for cardiovascular interventions.
Addresses:
8 Chau Van Liem Street, Tu Liem Ward, Hanoi
55 Yen Ninh Street, Ba Dinh Ward, Hanoi
Hotline: 0911 858 626
