06/02/2026
Sudden Death from a Heart Attack at 40 — Doctors Point to One Common Factor
(Taipei, Feb 6) A Taiwanese cardiologist recently highlighted a troubling trend after a person died suddenly from a heart attack at the age of 40.
Cardiologist Chen Guan-Ren shared clinical cases involving patients with high cholesterol who failed to take their medication regularly. He compared the situation to running a red light:
“Some people run red lights their entire lives and nothing happens. But some people run it once—and end up in the morgue.”
Dr. Chen explained that in his clinic, he has seen multiple patients with persistently high LDL cholesterol (commonly known as “bad cholesterol”) who do not take medication as prescribed. Some stopped taking medication for as long as two years, believing diet and exercise alone were enough. Others discontinued medication after their cholesterol levels improved, wanting to see if they could maintain normal levels without drugs. Some secretly reduced their dosage or stopped altogether once they felt better.
The one thing all these patients had in common, he said, was this:
“They have high cholesterol but do not want to take medication.”
Dr. Chen admitted that he used to feel frustrated, but has since changed how he approaches such patients. He now explains that high LDL cholesterol is like crossing the road against a red light—you may not get hit every time, and some people remain fine for years. However, others may suffer a fatal heart attack at just 40, and such cases are not uncommon.
He emphasized that if patients insist on refusing medication, he respects their decision. However, he will clearly document in their medical records that the doctor strongly advised treatment but the patient declined.
“I can choose not to prescribe the medication,” he said. “The body belongs to the patient, and the decision is theirs. My role is to provide professional advice—just don’t blame the doctor later for not warning you.”
Source: China Press
