Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is a common heart disease caused by insufficient blood supply to the heart due to narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries of the heart due to the accumulation of fat, cholesterol and other substances. There are many risk factors for coronary heart disease, including age, gender, family history, smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes mellitus, obesity or being overweight, physical inactivity, stress and unhealthy diet. These factors increase the risk of atherosclerosis, which may lead to serious consequences such as angina or myocardial infarction.

Coronary heart disease is one of the common fatal diseases in Hong Kong

According to the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH), the number of deaths due to heart diseases in Hong Kong in 2020 will reach 6,561, representing a 6.5% increase in mortality rate compared with that of 2019, which is second only to cancer and pneumonia. Among them, coronary heart disease is one of the common fatal diseases in Hong Kong. Hong Kong's ageing population and stressful life, coupled with an unbalanced diet and lack of physical activity, are all factors that increase the risk of developing coronary heart disease.

Uncle Lam is an elderly man living alone. He is suffering from a heart disease and needs to undergo coronary intervention (commonly known as "through-the-wave") surgery, but he cannot afford the expensive cost of the surgery and feels helpless and wants to find a solution.

Uncle Lam could not afford the expensive surgery and felt helpless.

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"I am 83 years old and have retired in recent years. I am a single elderly person living on CSSA. Last year, I suddenly felt a pain in my chest and found it hard to breathe, so I was sent to the hospital for emergency treatment. The doctor told me that I was suffering from coronary heart disease and had to undergo an operation. I asked the doctor how much the operation would cost. I asked the doctor how much the operation would cost, but he said it would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars if it was done in a private hospital, or several years if it was done in a public hospital. I was so helpless, I don't have so much money, what should I do?

Learned from Sunyu's staff about Hong Kong Adventist's Charity Heart Disease Program.

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Until I met a staff member of Sunyu, he told me that Hong Kong Adventist Hospital - Tsuen Wan has recently launched a program to fully subsidize eligible patients to undergo **Balloon Coronary Angioplasty** (commonly known as balloon angioplasty) including pre- and post-operative consultation and examination. Places are limited and available on a first-come-first-served basis.

I was touched by the program and felt hopeful. I decided to participate in the program, and I am very grateful to the staff of Sunyu for introducing it to me."

Tombo is still at risk of morbidity and sudden death if he doesn't improve his living habits after surgery

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According to cardiologists, some patients need to undergo coronary intervention (commonly known as "bypass surgery") or cardiovascular bypass surgery (commonly known as "bypass"). Even after the surgery, it does not mean goodbye to coronary heart disease. If patients do not properly control their three highs or quit smoking, they are still at risk of morbidity and sudden death.

Therefore, there are several ways to prevent recurrence of coronary heart disease after surgery:

🔹 Continue to take the medications prescribed by your doctor and have regular follow-up appointments to monitor your heart condition and blood vessels.

🔹 Follow your doctor's instructions and gradually resume appropriate exercise, such as walking, cycling, swimming, etc., to enhance cardiorespiratory fitness and blood circulation.

🔹 Control your diet by avoiding foods high in salt, sugar, fat, and cholesterol, and eat more fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans, and fish to lower your blood pressure, blood glucose, blood lipids, and cholesterol levels.

🔹 Stop smoking and drinking because smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can damage the heart and blood vessels and increase the risk of coronary heart disease.

🔹 Reduce stress, maintain a positive mindset, and avoid excessive stress or worry, as stress affects the rhythm of the heart and the contraction of blood vessels, which may trigger angina or myocardial infarction.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a serious heart disease that requires timely and effective treatment. Many patients in Hong Kong are unable to receive proper assistance due to poverty. Fortunately, there are organizations that have launched programs and services to provide these patients with the opportunity to receive surgery and rehabilitation. However, prevention is better than cure, and lifestyle improvement is the key.

If you or your elderly friends have any problems in their daily lives, please feel free to contact us at Sunyu, we are always willing to be a support to the elderly. For details of the Tsuen Wan Adventist Hospital Tombo Surgery Subsidy Program, please click the link below:

Tsuen Wan Adventist Hospital Tung Po Tsai Surgery Subsidy Scheme