Patient Testimonial
Former Patient's Account: Heart Failure During a Run
Somchai Sondee recounts his experience:
"I'm a regular runner but never had annual check-ups. Three years ago, I fainted once but could continue walking. I don't have any underlying conditions. This time, I was running my first half-marathon (21.1 km) after a three-year break due to COVID-19, with minimal training. Around the 8 km mark, on the second bridge, I felt exhausted, then blacked out. I regained consciousness in the ambulance after receiving CPR, hearing the doctor, also a runner, say, 'I'm so glad we could help him.' Tears just streamed down."
"I just thought someone ran into me. I couldn't open my eyes, my chest hurt, I was dizzy, and couldn't speak. I felt like it was 50/50 whether I'd make it. Upon arriving at the hospital, I was rushed to the emergency room, hooked up to oxygen and various machines. I was conscious and felt no pain when the doctor performed the balloon angioplasty to widen my coronary artery."
"Everything was excellent. The team and hospital were fully prepared, with no waiting. This included the rescue system, transport, emergency room, Cath Lab, CCU, doctors, and nurses. If I get sick again, I'll definitely come back here."
Dr. Somsak Ekprachakul, a cardiology specialist who treated Mr. Sondee, stated:
"When Mr. Somchai arrived at the hospital, he was conscious. We immediately began diagnostics. His EKG showed abnormalities consistent with acute myocardial infarction. We quickly performed a cardiac catheterization to assess his blood vessels. One of his three main heart arteries was severely narrowed, almost completely blocked. We used a catheter to insert a balloon and immediately expanded the artery. Then, a stent was deployed to keep the vessel open, all in one procedure."
"This patient's case was considered cardiac arrest. There was no blood flow from the heart to the brain, leading to unconsciousness within seconds. Resuscitation is critically important within the first five minutes after losing consciousness. If revived, it's crucial to open the coronary artery within four hours."
Patient with 3 Blocked Coronary Arteries and COVID-19 Infection
Mr. Jasmin Rangsakorn's son shares his experience:
"The treatment was easy to understand, clearly explained, visual, and very fast."
My father had been experiencing chest tightness for about two weeks, feeling like food wouldn't go down. He initially thought it was due to lack of sleep or acid reflux. Resting more didn't help, and the constant chest tightness led to sleepless nights. We later learned these were symptoms of fluid build-up in his lungs, making it impossible for him to lie flat. One night, his condition worsened significantly, and he couldn't breathe, so we rushed him to the hospital. He was diagnosed with three blocked coronary arteries and treated with angioplasty. Coincidentally, this was during the Omicron outbreak, and my father also contracted COVID-19. It was fortunate he could receive immediate treatment, as finding a hospital bed was difficult then.
The doctors provided excellent care with modern equipment and valuable advice on his treatment plan. The explanations were clear and easy to visualize, and the treatment was incredibly fast; my father was wheeled out in no time. Finally, I want to emphasize the importance of regular health check-ups. If you don't take care of yourself, you must get screened. Another crucial point is that heart disease can be dangerous because it develops gradually. It can easily be mistaken for acid reflux or other conditions. It's better to get checked early while you can still walk, rather than waiting until you need to be stretchered in, as it might be too late.
Kidney Transplant Patient
"I feel amazing after the surgery; I don't have to drive myself or have my child take me for dialysis anymore... it's like a new life—like being a new person!"
"I've had kidney disease for 10 years, and including dialysis, it's been 11 and a half years. I also suffer from hyperthyroidism, gout, and high blood pressure, leading to continuous pain medication use. During a routine annual check-up, my kidney function was elevated to 1.9, so I started treatment with Dr. Tanomsak Asavadilokchai at Ramkhamhaeng Hospital. I received medication, but my condition worsened over time. I resisted dialysis for a year until I couldn't anymore and decided to undergo dialysis twice a week, four hours each session. This was a major turning point that led me to consider a kidney transplant. Dr. Tanomsak informed me that Ramkhamhaeng Hospital had a kidney transplant program, registered with the Thai Red Cross. I decided to join, and in less than a year, on a Monday night, I received a call from the hospital informing me that a kidney was available. I was told to come to Ramkhamhaeng Hospital on Tuesday for surgery. I had the transplant surgery that very Tuesday night, May 24, 2022. Since I had already undergone preliminary health checks, I only needed a quick blood pressure check and an ECG. The surgery began at 10:30 PM, lasted about 5 hours, and I stayed in the hospital for half a month. The doctor schedules follow-up appointments periodically. I feel incredible after the surgery; I don't have to drive or have my child bring me for dialysis anymore... it truly feels like a new lease on life—like a brand new me!"
