Fainting on the Padel Court: Mr. Ang Koko’s Search for the Cause

Mr. Ang Koko enjoys playing padel. One day, while resting after a game, he suddenly fainted. His wife, who shares the story with him in this video, still remembers the moment clearly: “He was out for a full minute, and his face had already turned blue.” That episode started the family's search for what was really happening to Mr. Ang Koko's heart.

The First Warning Sign

Because the court was close to a hospital, Mr. Ang Koko was taken straight to its emergency department. Tests there showed raised heart enzymes, so the doctors suspected a heart attack. His brain function was checked as well. The family panicked, and Mr. Ang Koko felt disoriented after he came round.

His wife asked whether there was equipment that could check the heart's electrical activity more accurately. As the equipment at that first facility was limited, the family decided to look for further testing. An acquaintance recommended Heartology, and the family felt more confident choosing a hospital dedicated to heart care.

Finding Answers at Heartology

At Heartology, the family met Dr. dr. Faris Basalamah, Sp.JP (K), a cardiologist who focuses on heart rhythm disorders. The team did not rush into a procedure. Mr. Ang Koko first went through a series of tests: coronary angiography (CAG), an X-ray study of the heart arteries using a thin catheter and contrast dye; an electrophysiology study (EPS), which records electrical signals from inside the heart; and the placement of an implantable loop recorder (ILR), a small heart rhythm recorder placed under the skin of the chest.

The tests revealed an intermittent arrhythmia, a heart rhythm disorder that comes and goes rather than being constant. For his wife, this answer was a relief. “What made me feel relieved was that the doctor said there really was a problem with my husband's heart rhythm,” she said. The fainting that had worried the family finally had an explanation.

Monitoring after the Device Was Placed

Mr. Ang Koko went home with the ILR in place and a remote for the device. For about a month, the effect of his medication was also monitored. When his symptoms returned at one point, the family felt reassured because his condition was being followed closely by the medical team. At the time of filming, his condition was stable, his blood pressure was controlled with medication, and he was still under routine monitoring.

His wife also felt at ease because Heartology is a hospital dedicated to the heart. From this experience, Mr. Ang Koko has a message for you: get insurance before you fall ill, know a doctor you can rely on, and do not hesitate to seek a second opinion when needed. “The first thing is to get insurance before you get sick,” he said.