Thai doctors urge gyms to take precautions to prevent deaths from heart attacks

[webfact]

Doctors urge gyms to take precautions to prevent deaths from heart attacks

BANGKOK, 7 July 2014 (NNT) – Medical professionals have urged fitness centers to stock up on medication for treating ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and have also trained first-aiders on stand-by, as the condition is a common cause of death for gym goers.

The statement came after a 38-year-old man died from a heart attack while running on a treadmill at Fitness First in Siam Paragon over the weekend.

Dr. Chuwit Likitwingwara, the head of a health security office in Saraburi, posted a message on Facebook explaining that myocardial infarctions or heart attacks occur when a coronary artery suddenly becomes at least partially blocked by a blood clot, causing some of the heart muscle being supplied by that artery to die.

He advised regular exercisers with pre-existing medical conditions to take extra precaution when undertaking strenuous exercise. If they experience chest pain and cold sweats during a workout, they are urged to immediately seek help.

He added that fitness centers should also have an adequate supply of aspirin, as it can relieve the symptoms. Mortality from heart attacks can be significantly reduced if patients and bystanders recognize symptoms early and trained personnel can provide life-saving interventions.

-- NNT 2014-07-07

[krisb]

Next they will want a clearance from a cardiac specialist upon joining a gym.

[ldnguy]

Next they will want a clearance from a cardiac specialist upon joining a gym.

You are talking nonsense. The above is very sensible advice and doesn't say anything about needing clearance from a cardiac specialist.

[ChrisY1]

You just make up this stuff..........obviously thought up over Sum Tom at lunch time......dopes!

[kurnell]

Ban blokes with dodgy hearts from entering Cowboy and co. More likely to blow a gasket in that environment than plodding on a treadmill

[AnotherOneAmerican]

Lots of guys die every year in gyms.

I had a pal dropped dead in a gym, age 40, no history of problems.

[NomadJoe]

Every gym, hotel, airport and shopping mall should have AEDs and trained staff to use them. They are so easy to use and considering the importance of early intervention, a no brainer. Contrary to popular belief, they are not illegal to be used by a non-Thai doctors.

[tolsti]

It would be a good start to remove all mirrors from gyms..... unfortunately that would result in fewer members.... but maybe also fewer heart attacks.

[wehavenofuture]

Lots of guys die every year in gyms.

I had a pal dropped dead in a gym, age 40, no history of problems.

steroids do this

[jamstock]

Right, I was going to join the gym.... I've changed my mind.

[EyesWideOpen]

I always got a laugh from my father. He has never exercised one minute in his entire
life. When I asked him why, he felt that it simply wore your body out faster.......

He is 89 and in perfect health, so maybe his theory is valid. Going to the gym

and stressing your body to the limit may not be as beneficial as it seems. Clearly

that was the case with this guy...

[Oziex1]

Going to the Gym is a great idea, but here's the thing. You are not training for the Olympics or an Iron Man marathon you are just working out to stay fit and have some tone. Too much ego involved, I can lift xxxx Kgs I can run xxxx Hrs. Super protein drinks are becoming a problem with very young people developing heart disease.

[bkkjames]

Going to the Gym is a great idea, but here's the thing. You are not training for the Olympics or an Iron Man marathon you are just working out to stay fit and have some tone. Too much ego involved, I can lift xxxx Kgs I can run xxxx Hrs. Super protein drinks are becoming a problem with very young people developing heart disease.

Pls shed some light on how protein drinks + young people = heart disease

[poweratradio]

Anyone know where there is a pace maker clinic. I am supposed to have it checked every 6 months. This a serious request for information. I tried to get information from the CM section of TV but rec'd no reply to my post.

[i claudius]

As Oscar Wilde Said",whenever i feel the need for exercise ,i lay down untill the feeling goes away"

[JSixpack]

Going to the Gym is a great idea, but here's the thing. You are not training for the Olympics or an Iron Man marathon you are just working out to stay fit and have some tone. Too much ego involved, I can lift xxxx Kgs I can run xxxx Hrs. Super protein drinks are becoming a problem with very young people developing heart disease.

Pls shed some light on how protein drinks + young people = heart disease

Just the usual gum-flappin'.

[bangarang]

I almost get a heart-attack just thinking about the price of gym memberships in Thailand. Seems like they are all 3,000thb+ per month here in phuket. Back when I lived in the US&Canada it was never more than 2,000thb for a good gym. Seems strange to have it be so expensive here, maybe thai people dont like going so its only targeted towards "wealthy farangs"? I would think in the cost of living in thailand that it should be cheaper. If I were to pay for me and my wife, thats almost the cost of half my rent.

Edited July 8, 2014 by bangarang

[Emster23]

I have a friend who owned a "fitness center". Asked him why he didn't call it a "gym". He said that was a slang term in Thai for a portion of female anatomy men seem to lack (anyone confirm this?). If that is true, I am sure a good number of guys have heart attacks working out in the "gym".

[thaicookingchef]

Hello,

What should we do and where to go to where good equipment is available to check our heart ?

Thank you.

[bkkjames]

Hello,

What should we do and where to go to where good equipment is available to check our heart ?

Thank you.

A Hospital or Dr I imagine

[Prbkk]

Someone having a heart attack needs proper clot busting meds, in a hospital, pronto. An aspirin MIGHT be better than nothing but it is a pretty pale pink treatment option.

Walking at modest pace , treadmill or street, is the best exercise for those without a high level of fitness. Never running at pace.

Look at the sweaty, fat farang around town. So many heart attacks in waiting . Surprising there are not more reports of 'massage' related deaths. .

[h90]

Next they will want a clearance from a cardiac specialist upon joining a gym.

In some European countries a clearance from a doctor is necessary for scuba diving......

[h90]

Someone having a heart attack needs proper clot busting meds, in a hospital, pronto. An aspirin MIGHT be better than nothing but it is a pretty pale pink treatment option.

Walking at modest pace , treadmill or street, is the best exercise for those without a high level of fitness. Never running at pace.

Look at the sweaty, fat farang around town. So many heart attacks in waiting . Surprising there are not more reports of 'massage' related deaths. .

Staff from the Austrian embassy told me that they send 1 bodybag per week back home (and look how small Austria is). Mostly died from heart attack in some night exercise together with blue pills, alcohol, overweight.....

Aspirin immediately really helps. Point is you give him the Aspirin while you transport him to the hospital pronto....not instead.

[Oziex1]

Next they will want a clearance from a cardiac specialist upon joining a gym.

In some European countries a clearance from a doctor is necessary for scuba diving......

Not uncommon for gym staff to check your blood pressure if your getting on a bit or are overweight.

[tomyummer]

These gyms should have portable defibrillators on site such as the ones found in airliners. Of course all the trainees should be trained in using them too. Btw, doesn't Siam Paragon have full time firemen that have basic emt training?

[techboy]

Ridiculous. Unless fitness centers have a paramedic on the staff they are not going to help anyone. It is a person's own responsibility to have a physician access their cadiac health and establish an appropriate regimen.

[3NUMBAS]

they join a long list of the dead in gyms like Douglas Adams who died on the mill and other guys who died on the job

[bkkjames]

Sorry to hear about the deceased, but will this result in a crackdown on people attending gyms? How about those who run around Lumpini Park.

Ok good advice to see a Dr before doing strenuous exercise but seems like a kneejerk reaction.

[tartempion]

Someone needs to tell Thailand what AED's are.

In Belgium there's at least one in every village.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[taony]

I have a friend who owned a "fitness center". Asked him why he didn't call it a "gym". He said that was a slang term in Thai for a portion of female anatomy men seem to lack (anyone confirm this?). If that is true, I am sure a good number of guys have heart attacks working out in the "gym".

yes, but only when you say it in the tone with the + above it. When you say it in the ! tone it means dip, like dipping sauce. Not sure how slang it is along the slang curve, or maybe just a word for it. Men seem to lack??