A Vietnamese Canadian patient narrowly escaped a severe heart attack thanks to the swift intervention of the medical team at Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital (Ho Chi Minh City).
A Race Against Time and the Doctors’ “Life-Saving Blueprint”
While visiting family during a holiday in Ho Chi Minh City, Mr. H.V.C. (67 years old, a Vietnamese Canadian and an architect) suddenly experienced severe chest pain, shortness of breath, and cold sweats while at his apartment in the Vinhomes Central Park urban area. Realizing the urgent situation, his family immediately called for an ambulance from Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.
Within just 10 minutes, the specialized ambulance and medical team arrived. From the elevator to the apartment corridor, every detail of the building’s infrastructure was designed to allow the swift, efficient movement of both the patient and medical equipment—something that might seem minor but was a decisive factor in saving the patient’s life.
“I never imagined that a building’s architecture could help save a person’s life. But if we had been just a few minutes later that day, I might not be here to share this story,” Mr. C. recalled emotionally.
Upon arrival at the hospital, the patient was diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction, with a complete blockage of the main coronary artery—a condition that can be fatal without timely intervention. Under the direction of Dr. Vo Anh Minh, MSc, Specialist Level II, Vinmec’s cardiology team quickly moved the patient into the DSA Hybrid cardiovascular intervention suite—equipped with some of the most advanced diagnostic and treatment technology available.
A large blood clot was lodged at the bifurcation of the coronary artery, making the procedure especially risky. However, thanks to the doctors’ expertise and the support of cutting-edge equipment, the team successfully navigated the guidewire, placed a stent to restore blood flow, and saved the patient just before irreversible heart damage occurred.
The entire process—from diagnosis to reopening the blocked artery—took less than 60 minutes, enabling the patient to recover quickly, without complications, and to walk again shortly after the intervention.
Expert Warning: Recognizing the “Golden Hour” Before It’s Too Late
Dr. Minh explained that the common signs of a heart attack are not always obvious, but patients should be especially alert if they experience severe chest pain or tightness, sudden shortness of breath, or an unexplained feeling of suffocation or extreme fatigue. Many people, due to subjectivity, mistake these symptoms for stomach pain or simple exhaustion and end up missing the “golden hour,” leading to far more serious consequences.
“As soon as any unusual symptoms appear—especially chest tightness accompanied by shortness of breath—the patient should stop all activity, remain in a resting position, and call emergency services immediately. Driving yourself or hesitating can drastically reduce the chance of survival,” Dr. Minh advised.
Patient C.’s case is a prime example of how early detection and proper intervention can completely change the prognosis.
Currently, the patient’s condition is stable — he can walk, breathe easily, and no longer experiences chest pain. This case not only marks a success in emergency cardiac care at Vinmec, but also highlights the real-world value of an integrated healthcare ecosystem — where every minute is maximized to save lives.
With a team of leading specialists, state-of-the-art DSA Hybrid intervention systems, and smoothly coordinated emergency procedures, Vinmec Central Park stands as a trusted medical destination for critical cardiac cases.
This successful case is not only a triumph of emergency medicine but also vivid proof of how a seamlessly operated ecosystem — connecting residence, emergency, intervention, and recovery — can make the most of the “golden hour,” the decisive factor in heart attack survival.
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