A 56-year-old Japanese man died after bungee jumping from the Macau Tower on Sunday.
The man had shortness of breath after the jump at around 4.30pm before his heartbeat and breathing stopped. There were no obvious injuries on his body.
He was rushed to the Conde S Januario Hospital but was pronounced dead.
Hong Kong cardiologist Chan Ngai-yin told The Standard yesterday that the sudden death could be triggered by various reasons such as heart disease, cerebral stroke or pressure to the neck.
“Such an extreme sport would cause significant pressure to the heart,” he said.
He warned that unhealthy lifestyle, including staying up late, obesity and smoking, could affect vascular health and cause a heart attack during sudden pressure.
Patients with heart or vascular diseases should avoid participating in extreme sports, including bungee jumping, he said.
But those without any obvious diseases should consult a doctor and undergo medical check-ups before trying bungee jumping as many hidden health risks do not have symptoms, Chan explained.
“A doctor would ask whether they feel dizzy or have shortness of breath after exercise, and if there was any sudden death among their family members,” he said, adding people should undergo a blood test and electrocardiogram.
Emergency medicine specialist Axel Siu Yuet-chung said bungee jumping is a “highly stimulating activity,” and participants would have an adrenaline spike and blood pressure fluctuation during the jump.
The activity could be dangerous for patients with prior heart conditions, he cautioned.
“People should think twice and learn about their health conditions before participating in such a stimulating activity,” he added.
Siu said bungee jumping may also cause sprains, as participants fall at high speed. “If participants are not at an appropriate position, they may suffer from sprains or even dislocation of joints in some serious cases,” he said.
Seriously nearsighted people should not try bungee jumping as it could lead to retinal detachment, he added.
The 338-meter-high Macau Tower commenced operation in December 2001. Its bungee jump activity, operated by AJ Hackett, allows visitors to experience freefall from a height of 233 meters.
Macau’s tourism office said the freefall only lasts for four to five seconds and challengers would jump at a speed of up to 200 kilometers per hour.
The operator’s website states that the jump costs 2,888 patacas (HK$2,803) per person and people should disclose their medical conditions before taking the leap.
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