For the heavy smokers who come to my clinic and request for coronary intervention after their heart attacks or near death experience; I would demand them to quit smoking or slowly reduce their cigarettes with the aim of eventual quitting. I also tell them if they decide not to follow my advice, I will (1) not see them anymore and (2) I will not do their coronary intervention. They are free to choose any of the private cardiologists in the 4 private hospitals here or go to government heart centre. A heavy smoker who continues to smoke heavily will inevitable has heart attack and new blockages in the future. 90% of the heavy smokers whom I have counselled in the past agreed to quit smoking and normally his little finger will hook with my little finger as a symbolic gesture of agreement and his wife will take a photo as a way of reminding him of his promise made. But 10% of them are unwilling to quit smoking and do not see the need to do so. Some of them I asked them to see another cardiologist of his dream. Some of them I obliged coz their spouses became teary in front of me due to my rejection ( I am always fearful of ladies cry, their tears can melt me so easily). Today a young man from Bintulu came to see unscheduled. He smokes 40 cig per day for 20 years. He went to a famous private hospital here one month ago with severe chest pain and breathlessness of sudden onset. He had ECG and blood tests done and sent home by a specialist but later recalled back for admission. After 2 days he was discharged with uncertain diagnosis. He continued to smoke and went back to work. After one month he came and saw me today due to verbal referral from his colleagues; within 1 minutes of looking at his test results and history taking, I concluded he had a heart attack then and continue to be at risk. He wanted to do coronary angiogram by me but I demanded him to quit smoking and he agreed. I proceeded and found all 3 main arteries and many of their branches are severely blocked. After I performed severe angioplasties and sent him back to ICU; I asked him to hook his little finger with mine as a sign of wanting to quit smoking but he refused!! He changed his mind and said to me he wanted to continue smoking 40 cig per day since I have successfully fixed his problems. I regretted doing the angioplasty for him but more importantly he will one day regret with his decision not to quit smoking. My regret has no bearing on my life but his decision may cost him his life in the future.
Posted on: Mon, 21 Jul 2014 14:38:39 +0000
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