From the case of Mr. Hoang Nam Tien's death: don't confuse sudden death with stroke

The sudden death of Mr. Hoang Nam Tien due to cardiac arrest outside the hospital shocked many people. The incident raises a warning about the confusion between stroke and sudden death - two dangerous conditions but completely different in signs and treatment.

The sudden death of Mr. Hoang Nam Tien - Vice Chairman of the Council of FPT University, former Chairman of FPT Telecom and FPT Software shocked many people. He was determined to have died due to outpatient cardiac arrest, one of the leading causes of sudden death today.

The case raises a big question: How to distinguish stroke from sudden death? And what are the skills needed to recognize and intervene at the right time?

Hoang Nam Tien's death was determined to be due to outpatient cardiac arrest

Unlike many health accidents that show signs of slowness, cardiac arrest outside the hospital is an emergency situation that can take a life within minutes. This is the reason why Mr. Hoang Nam Tien passed away unexpectedly even though he had no obvious pathological symptoms before.

Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops pumping blood, causing the brain and vital organs to fall into a severe hypoxia. If not immediately intervened with cardiac compression and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) techniques, the patient will pass away very quickly.

According to international cardiovascular organizations, every minute that passes after the heart stops working without emergency care, the chances of survival are reduced by 7% to 10%. After 10 minutes, the exit rate was almost absolute. Therefore, it is paramount that the bystanders are aware of cardiac arrest, which is often manifested by the victim suddenly collapsing, unconscious, stops breathing, is purple all over, and quickly performs first aid on the spot while waiting for medical staff to arrive.

Unfortunately, in reality, most people still confuse sudden death with stroke - two completely different medical concepts in both cause and treatment.

How to distinguish between stroke and sudden death?

Sudden death, as in the case of Mr. Hoang Nam Tien, is usually caused by arrhythmias, coronary artery disease, or some abnormalities in the structure of the heart. It happens in an instant, making the patient unable to cry for help or react. Meanwhile, stroke, also known as cerebrovascular accident, occurs when the blood vessels feeding the brain are blocked or ruptured, leading to damage to the corresponding brain area. Stroke can be fast-onset but usually still has a short period of time to recognize and transfer to hospital.

One of the common ways to differentiate is to observe the initial symptoms. People with stroke often have symptoms such as distorted mouth, weakness or paralysis, slurred speech, loss of balance. Meanwhile, sudden death causes the patient to lose consciousness immediately, unresponsive, no pulse and no breathing.

The biggest difference is the emergency method. With stroke, it is necessary to keep the patient in a safe position, call the emergency quickly and transfer to a hospital with a stroke intervention unit. Absolutely do not arbitrarily give medication or move the victim by personal means unless it is really necessary.

In contrast, with sudden death, time is a vital factor. The person who detects it should immediately check the victim's reaction and breathing, then perform continuous cardiac compressions and CPR if skillful. The use of automated defibrillators (AEDs), if available, can significantly increase the chances of survival.

These seemingly small differences determine life and death in a narrow way. Therefore, understanding and reacting correctly is a skill that each person should equip themselves and their loved ones.

Know how to intervene at the right time

The case of Mr. Hoang Nam Tien is a wake-up call for all of us: Sudden death does not spare anyone, including those who are at a healthy age, work actively and have an active lifestyle. In the modern pace of life with a lot of pressure, subjectivity with abnormal signs in the body is extremely dangerous.

Some warning symptoms may appear before sudden death but are often overlooked, such as angina, nervousness, unusual dizziness, shortness of breath during exertion, or unexplained fatigue. Periodic cardiovascular screening, especially for people with a history of heart disease, metabolic disorders or family history, is essential.

In addition, regular exercise, good control of blood pressure, blood sugar, blood fats, a combination of a healthy diet, adequate sleep and stress reduction will help minimize the risk of both stroke and sudden death.

More importantly, the community needs to disseminate basic first aid knowledge, especially CPR techniques and how to use AED machines. If more people knew how to intervene at the right time, many lives could be saved.

How to give first aid for stroke at home

Stroke can cause the patient to lose balance or lose consciousness, possibly falling. If you think you or someone else around you has had a stroke, do the following:

Call emergency services

If you are experiencing stroke symptoms, ask someone else to call for help and stay as calm as possible while waiting for emergency help.

If you are caring for someone who has had a stroke, make sure that the person is in a safe position, wearing cool clothes and a comfortable space. If it is a small child, it is recommended to put the child in a position to lie on his side, the head is slightly raised and in case the child vomits.

First aid for stroke while waiting for emergency

Check that the person is still breathing. If breathing is not visible, perform CPR. If the patient feels shortness of breath, loosen tight clothes and accessories such as ties, scarves, belts, etc. to make it easier for the patient to breathe.

If the patient has cardiac arrest, perform extrathoracic cardiac massage. Use a handkerchief wrapped around the index finger to remove phlegm and drooling from the patient's mouth.

Remove dentures for patients (if any) to avoid choking. Absolutely do not put anything in the patient's mouth. Calmly advise and reassure the patient. Put a blanket to keep the patient's body warm. If the patient has weakness in the limbs, it is necessary to ask many people to assist in moving the patient. Observe to recognize any changes in the patient.

Finally, remember the causes, manifestations, or whether or not the patient has fallen to provide to medical staff.

The case of Hoang Nam Tien's death: there is a history, the doctor reveals the last minute, VTV reporters mourn Bảo Yến07:21:29 01/08/2025The news that Mr. Hoang Nam Tien - Vice Chairman of the School Council - FPT University - suddenly passed away on the afternoon of July 31, at the age of 56, making many people surprised and regretted. The doctor's revelation about the last moment of his life made fans even more heartbroken.