Karaoke Night turned into Sudden Cardiac Arrest

It was 16 Apr 2023. Mr Phua Boon Keng, a 53-year-old refinery supervisor, was enjoying a karaoke session with friends, but the outing turned into a nightmare when he fell unconscious. Mr Phua suffered a sudden cardiac arrest. 

“I knew it would have been his last chance,” said Candy, Mr Phua’s friend, who immediately performed CPR, while their other friends called for help and for an ambulance.  

At a medical check-up a few years earlier, Mr Phua was found to have partial blood clots, and was given the choice of undergoing surgery or taking medication to manage his high blood cholesterol. Although he chose the latter, Mr Phua neither took his condition seriously nor took his medication regularly. Coupled with his family history of hypertension, sedentary lifestyle and poor diet, Mr Phua was living with a ticking time bomb.  

Just two months before his cardiac arrest, Mr Phua had fainted. The blood clots in his arteries had become so severe that doctors recommended he undergo a heart bypass surgery, which he was scheduled for, until the fateful incident happened.  

“This was a lesson learned for me,” he said as he reflected on that time.  

Five days after his cardiac arrest, Mr Phua awoke in a state of disorientation. He had no recollection of the incident, and could not recognise his wife. He spent nearly a month in the hospital, and underwent a heart bypass surgery.  

Recovery from the cardiac arrest was difficult, but ample support made Mr Phua’s journey easier. He was referred to the Cardiac Arrest Survivors’ Club (CASC) after he was discharged. The support group is dedicated to raising awareness, providing support, and creating a safe space for cardiac arrest survivors.  

“The people there are very kind and have offered me their listening ears. They’re all like family,” said Mr Phua.   

Most importantly, since his life-altering incident, Mr Phua has adopted a healthier, more active lifestyle, and an attitude of gratitude for his family, friends, and his life.  

“The doctor said that if Candy didn’t perform CPR, and if I didn’t get treatment within a short time, I might not have made it. So, I treasure being alive.” he remarked.  

His friends who were present during his collapse also picked up CPR skills. 

“If you have a health condition, don’t take it lightly, cooperate with your doctor and take your medicine regularly.”  

Watch Mr Phua’s appearance on Let’s Talk About Health (医聊大小事) here.

In Loving Memory of the late Mr Phua Boon Keng.