Bangkok: The sudden death of 35-year-old Nattawut Ponglangka, a reporter for a famous channel, has shocked fans. Friends say the cause of death is still unknown, but they only know that after a live news broadcast at night, he went home to rest and never woke up again.
According to Thai News Agency, Dr. Wipach Phanthawimol, a cardiologist specializing in cardiac electrophysiology, posted a message to the public regarding the death of Mr. Nattawut. He stated that death while asleep in young, healthy individuals is typically caused by a sudden, severe arrhythmia of the lower chambers of the heart, which results in insufficient blood flow to the brain and other organs. This occurs while the person is asleep, and can be explained scientifically, not by superstition.
Causes of sudden severe ventricular arrhythmias in young, healthy people while sleeping are divided into two groups: those with a clear cause and those with no clear cause. Clear causes include acute coronary artery disease, myocarditis, and congenital hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. On the other hand, no clear cause might be due to genetic heart disease, severe hypokalemia, lung diseases, certain respiratory disorders, specific sleep disorders, and abnormally high levels of certain chemicals in the blood.
While screening for these causes is only possible to a certain extent, some causes are asymptomatic. Physical examination or laboratory investigations, such as an electrocardiogram, treadmill test, cardiac ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), coronary computed tomography (CT) scan, or coronary angiography, can usually provide normal results. The most important priority is to seek emergency assistance as quickly as possible, perform early CPR, and use an AED at the scene. However, if the incident occurs while you are asleep, this becomes even more difficult.