FIRST VAPE-RELATED DEATH IN PH, 22-YEAR-OLD FILIPINO MALE

Youth are reminded in using vapes after first vape-related death recorded (Photo courtesy of ABS-CBN News)

For the past two year, a 22-year-old male has been vaping daily that lead to his death after a heart attack with severe lung injury according to the Department of Health. This is the first case of death related to e-cigarette of vape-associated lung injury (EVALI), that elevates the risk of acute myocardial infarction and stroke.

According to Dr. Riz Gonzales of the Philippine Pediatric Society Tobacco and Nicotine Control Advocacy Group, “This one is a 22 year old male, healthy, sporty, has no vices. He went to PGH because his chest was tight and was coughing. Upon seeing his lungs, it's all white, which we call white out lung. In layman's terms, we can say that his clear lungs were erased because they were blocked by the vape chemicals.”

Based on the study, two arteries of the victim’s heart were blocked and there was also a consolidation on his lungs. It had a two-day history of sudden onset severe chest pain after sports activity associated with dyspnea, diaphoresis, and myalgia. Before this, a one-week history of productive cough, hemoptysis, fever and vomiting.

DOH Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo stated, “When we are vaping, the lungs where the oxygen enters are injected with smoke, it is being blocked. So to our youth, vaping damages our hearts, right? Your hearts, it's okay to be hurt by love, but don't hurt your heart with vape.”

Domingo said that the DOH and PGH has raises its warning on vape after the first Filipino death of a 22-year-old died due to a heart attack. It is conspicuous that there are no risk factors occurred except that the victim has been vaping for the past two years before the heart attack.

The department reminding the youth, “When we are vaping, the lungs where the oxygen enters are injected with smoke, it is being blocked. So to our youth, vaping damages our hearts, right? Your hearts, it's okay to be hurt by love, but don't hurt your heart with vape.”

Source: GMA Integrated News

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