Vietnamese doctors save lives with rapid heart attack response in critical cases

Doctors in Ho Chi Minh City have saved multiple patients suffering from severe heart attacks, including cases of cardiac arrest and life-threatening irregular heartbeats. Rapid teamwork between local clinics and specialised hospitals played a key role in ensuring patients received urgent treatment within critical timeframes.

Three high-risk cases were recently treated at Thủ Đức General Hospital, with all patients recovering and being discharged within a week.

On March 18, a 55-year-old woman was rushed to Lê Văn Việt Hospital after experiencing a heart attack. She received immediate care before being transferred for emergency coronary intervention. Her condition stabilised, and she is expected to leave the hospital in the coming days.

A 61-year-old man arrived at An Phú General Hospital with crushing chest pain, breathlessness, and heavy sweating. Tests confirmed an acute myocardial infarction complicated by ventricular fibrillation—a severe form of heart failure. After initial resuscitation, he was quickly moved to Thủ Đức General Hospital. There, doctors performed an emergency procedure to clear his blocked artery. Within a week, he had recovered enough to go home.

Another patient, a 54-year-old man, suffered a cardiac arrest at Hoàn Mỷ Thủ Đức International General Hospital due to the same dangerous heart rhythm disorder. Medical teams successfully revived him and restored blood flow to his heart. He was discharged after seven days of intensive care.

Dr Lê Duy Lạc, who leads the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit at Thủ Đức General Hospital, highlighted the importance of fast action. Early diagnosis, immediate first aid, swift transfers, and specialised treatment are all vital to saving lives. He also stressed that coordination between hospitals ensures patients reach advanced care within the crucial first hours—often called the 'golden time' for heart attack survival.

Medical experts continue to urge people to seek help immediately if they experience symptoms like chest pain, difficulty breathing, or sudden sweating. Delays in treatment can lead to fatal outcomes. Regular health checks are also recommended to identify cardiovascular risks before they become emergencies. All three patients treated at Thủ Đức General Hospital have now returned home after receiving timely, specialised care.