The patient was successfully resuscitated by doctors after the pickleball cardiac arrest (Photo: Thanh Xuan)
The 50 year old Romanian national, who lives in Hanoi, developed chest pain and shortness of breath while playing with friends on December 29. He was taken to E Hospital, where he collapsed and went into cardiac arrest upon arrival.
Medical staff immediately activated the hospital’s emergency “code red” system, performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation and repeated defibrillation. After two electric shocks, the patient’s heart resumed beating and he gradually regained consciousness.
Subsequent tests showed he had suffered an acute anterior myocardial infarction caused by a complete blockage of the left anterior descending coronary artery due to a blood clot.
Doctors from the hospital’s cardiology department carried out an emergency procedure to remove the clot and implant a drug eluting stent, despite administrative and financial difficulties as the patient had no money with him at the time.
Nguyen Xuan Duong, a cardiologist at E Hospital, said the patient’s condition has stabilised, his chest pain has resolved and he is now able to walk lightly. He is expected to be discharged in the coming days.
Doctors warned that pickleball, which involves rapid movements and sudden changes of direction, can place significant strain on the heart and may trigger heart attacks in people with underlying cardiovascular risk factors.
Sudden cardiac arrest during physical activity can also occur in individuals with undiagnosed heart disease, or in rare cases be caused by fatal arrhythmias triggered by blunt impact to the chest, they added.
Phan Thao Nguyen, deputy director of E Hospital, said colder weather in Hanoi increases health risks, particularly for older people and those with chronic conditions, and urged prompt medical attention for warning symptoms.
