Taiwanese television host and former basketball player Blackie Chen is recovering after suffering a heart attack on Sept 15 and undergoing an emergency procedure at National Taiwan University Hospital.
The 49-year-old experienced sudden tightness in his chest while watching a training session involving professional basketball players. He was initially taken to a local hospital before being transferred to National Taiwan University Hospital for further treatment.
Doctors diagnosed Chen with an acute myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack. He underwent an emergency procedure to insert a stent and restore blood flow through a blocked coronary artery.
Chen later said one of his blood vessels had been completely blocked. His wife, singer Christine Fan, also said the artery was about 90 per cent blocked.
Despite the severity of the episode, Chen has since reassured fans that his condition has stabilised. He thanked the medical team for their prompt treatment and said he would take better care of his health.
In a social media update, Chen described the incident as a close brush with death and said the entire process from arriving by ambulance to completing the procedure took about 90 minutes.
He was subsequently moved from the intensive care unit to a regular ward.
The incident has also prompted renewed attention to the symptoms of heart attacks. Common warning signs can include chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, dizziness and discomfort that spreads to the arms, back, neck or jaw.
Some heart attacks can occur with less obvious symptoms, meaning sudden or unusual discomfort should not be ignored.
Chen, who is also vice-chairman of Taiwan’s professional basketball league P.League+, has received messages of support from fans and fellow celebrities since news of his hospitalisation emerged.
He expressed his gratitude to his family, friends and medical team, saying the experience had reminded him of the importance of looking after his health.
Chen remains under medical care as he recovers from the heart attack and emergency procedure.
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