10 things about heart attacks that could mean difference between life and death
- Greater awareness of world’s biggest killer can help chances of survival, says Dr Henry Kok, cardiologist at Hong Kong Adventist Hospital – Stubbs Road
- Private hospital in Happy Valley has created Rapid Access Chest Pain Clinic, open 24 hours a day, which can treat patients within 10 minutes of arrival
Every second counts in a heart-related emergency. A delay of even a couple of minutes could be the difference between life and death in the case of cardiac arrest or other complications affecting this vital blood-pumping organ.
Coronary heart disease led to the deaths of an average of 10.6 people in Hong Kong each day in 2017, according to statistics from the Department of Health
Between 2008 and 2017, more than 30,000 Hong Kong patients have died because of the problem – with sudden deaths often occurring after people have shown few symptoms.
Those at higher risk of suffering heart attacks include people aged between 40 and 60, smokers, those with high blood pressure, diabetes, high levels of cholesterol or little physical activity.
Check out 10 key facts and figures to remember when dealing with cardiac emergencies which could help to increase awareness about – and the chances of surviving – an acute myocardial infarction (AMI), the medical name for a heart attack.
1. World’s Number 1 killer ...
