Man, 61, fighting for his life in Hong Kong after passing out while running on treadmill
- Emergency services were called to Physical Fitness Centre in Cheung Sha Wan Plaza
- Police said man had been ill and was taken unconscious to Caritas Medical Centre
A 61-year-old man was fighting for his life in hospital in Hong Kong on Tuesday after passing out while running on a treadmill.
Emergency services were called to the Physical Fitness Centre on the 10th floor of Cheung Sha Wan Plaza at about 8.50am, according to police.
“A member of staff said the victim had collapsed while running on a treadmill,” a police spokesman said.
He said the man, surnamed Wong, was unconscious while being carried into an ambulance.
Wong was taken to the nearby Caritas Medical Centre where he was admitted in a critical condition.
According to police, the man had been ill. No further details were available. A police spokesman said initial investigations found nothing suspicious.
A fitness centre employee declined to comment on the case, citing customer privacy concerns.
Former Hong Kong Medical Association president Dr Gabriel Choi Kin said healthy people may have hidden health problems such as heart disease and hypertension, and running on a treadmill or doing vigorous physical exercise could cause an overload and trigger cardiac problems.
“Having a check-up is necessary to test whether they are suitable for physical exercise,” Choi said.
Lobo Louie Hung-tak, associate professor at Baptist University’s Department of Sport and Physical Education, said people should get a medical examination as a precaution, especially those who have a family history of heart disease and experience with chest pain or discomfort or shortage of breath.
He said those who do not get enough sleep or had not eaten enough before working out could develop health problems. He added that those suffering from flu were advised not to do physical exercise.
