For many in Hong Kong, a hectic city lifestyle involves a lot of drinking and smoking when socialising, and not nearly enough time dedicated to physical activity when working a largely sedentary desk job. Additionally, those aged between 40 and 60 are at a significantly higher risk of heart problems. The result of these compounded issues is that, as a society, we are seeing ever-increasing cases of high blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol levels, obesity, and diabetes.
This does not bode well for our health; in fact, our chances of succumbing to heart diseases has edged up significantly when compared to previous generations. Before you WebMD every little twinge only to be told that you’ve likely got cancer, bear in mind that the main alert your body sends out regarding heart-related issues is chest pains.
“But I’ve had pains in my chest before!” we hear you cry in dismay. Don’t freak out yet; this symptom in itself is a common one. It could easily just be heartburn from indulging in that pizza night. However, you should still pay attention to the signs that your body displays, because there is a chance your chest pains could be a precursor to something more serious, such as a heart attack or a stroke. It’s best to find out what exactly the issue is with a medical professional.
When do I know if my chest pains are serious?
Chest pains can be caused by issues which are not life-threatening. These include muscle or tendon strain (a dull soreness), shingles (sharp, tingling pain, sometimes accompanied by rashes), and inflammation of the joint between the ribs and breast bone. Pains could also be a result of a panic attack, often accompanied by fast breathing, or digestive problems such as gallstones, gastritis, or oesophagus spasms. These are not issues that need urgent attention. Bear in mind that heart pain is unrelenting and radiating, so momentary discomfort in your chest that changes with breathing or movement is more likely to be from musculoskeletal injury, or involve the lungs instead.
What you do need to look out for is chest pain that feels like a tight, heavy pressure, or even a squeezing or crushing pain. This pain may spread to the arms, shoulders, jaw, or back, along with shortness of breath, cold sweats, fatigue, or lightheadedness—these could be a symptom of angina or heart attack. Sudden, severe pains in the chest and upper back could be caused by a tear in the wall of the aorta; and pain in the centre of the chest could point to inflammation in the sac which surrounds the heart. Should you experience such symptoms relentlessly and for more than 10 minutes, err on the side of caution and get emergency treatment.
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Where can I seek help for chest pains?
With these increasing health needs in mind, the Hong Kong Adventist Hospital on Stubbs Road has recently introduced a Rapid Access Chest Pain Clinic in August this year. From now until December 31, 2019, there will also be an offer on out-patient chest pain packages for a limited time only.
The Rapid Access Chest Pain Clinic provides comprehensive heart disease risk assessment, diagnosis, and emergency treatment for patients experiencing acute chest pain caused by acute myocardial infarction, angina, pulmonary embolism, and other such issues. Patients can also use the clinic if they’re displaying heart attack-related symptoms such as cold sweats, shortness of breath, and nausea. The thoughtful system at the Adventist allows for an emergency chest pain pathway, whereby chest pain diagnosis is prioritised, thus saving the patient precious waiting time.
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What is so special about the Rapid Access Chest Pain Clinic?
The Hong Kong Adventist Hospital on Stubbs Road is in fact particularly proud of their excellent Diagnosis to Wire Crossing Time (DTWC). Through this system, the 90-minute recovery window is maximised, improving success rates, and greatly reducing damage to the heart or subsequent risks.
The front-line team, who make the first point of contact with a patient, will swiftly conduct a 10-minute electrocardiogram to isolate the cause of the chest pain and confirm the possibility of cardiac infarction. Time is truly of the essence when it comes to chest pains and what they may denote, and this prompt attention also increases the doctors’ efficiency in determining an appropriate treatment plan.
Needless to say, emergency services for all cases of chest pain are also available year-round, 24/7, and the team will work with patients to manage a better lifestyle that will sustain their health in the long run.
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What is on offer?
For a limited time only, until December 31, the Hong Kong Adventist Hospital on Stubbs Road is offering their Chest Pain Out-patient Package at the discounted rate of $3,960 (from an original price of $6,370). That’s nearly 40 percent off on maintaining the vital health of your heart.
For more information, click here, or call (+852) 3651 8991.
Hong Kong Adventist Hospital – Stubbs Road, 40 Stubbs Road | (+852) 3651 8991
