On the morning of July 4th, Wang Nan, former captain of the Heilongjiang Province men’s basketball team, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 42 due to a sudden heart attack, according to official reports. Just a few days prior, 17-year-old Chinese badminton player Zhang Zhijie passed away from a sudden heart attack during a competition in Indonesia, with some medical bloggers suspecting a link to COVID-19.
Studies have shown that a COVID-19 infection can lead to acute cardiovascular complications, increasing the risk of sudden cardiac death within 30 days of infection. With the COVID-19 pandemic still ongoing, Chinese netizens have been expressing concerns about the increasing number of people experiencing fevers.
Reports from The Paper on July 7th stated that Wang Nan, Director of the Comprehensive Office of the Athletic Teaching and Research Department (Armed Department) at Harbin University of Finance, passed away in Harbin City on the morning of July 4th due to an unsuccessful treatment for a sudden heart attack, at the age of 42.
Public records show that Wang Nan was a national-level basketball athlete in China, serving as the coach and captain of the Heilongjiang Province men’s basketball team, representing the province in national games. He also participated in the CBA Men’s Professional Basketball League with the Yunnan Honghe Basketball Club and the national men’s basketball professional league representing Heilongjiang Province. In 2018, he began teaching at Harbin University of Finance.
The sudden deaths of Wang Nan and Zhang Zhijie have raised public attention. Just a few days earlier, on the late night of June 30th, Zhang Zhijie, a 17-year-old Chinese badminton player, collapsed and tragically passed away during a competition in Indonesia.
Following Zhang Zhijie’s collapse, medical teams swiftly administered resuscitation efforts and transported him to the hospital within two minutes. Unfortunately, he succumbed to a sudden heart attack despite the rescue attempts.
Videos of Zhang Zhijie’s incident have circulated on the internet, prompting professionals to offer insights into the cause of his death. On July 1st, Dr. Lu Xiao from the Emergency Department of the Second Hospital of Zhejiang University commented that the young athlete’s sudden death with noticeable convulsions may suggest a high likelihood of malignant arrhythmia.
A medical blogger on Weibo expressed initial suspicions of COVID-19 as a potential factor in the athletes’ sudden deaths. This speculation is further supported by scientific evidence indicating the lasting impact of a COVID-19 infection on the heart, even in cases of mild infection with no prior heart issues.
Moreover, a growing number of social media users have been sharing accounts of post-COVID sequelae, with individuals reporting heart failure and other complications following a COVID-19 infection. These discussions have brought attention to the potential long-term effects of the virus on various bodily systems, notably the cardiovascular system.
Citing a study published in the Chinese Journal of Cardiovascular Diseases, it highlighted that approximately 12% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients may suffer from myocardial damage. Individuals with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions are at higher risk for severe complications from a COVID-19 infection, potentially leading to acute cardiac events.
The COVID-19 virus, also known as the CCP virus, has been implicated in numerous deaths among party members and individuals affiliated with the CCP. Reports from Epoch Times have shown that the pandemic in China continues to impact many individuals, causing dual challenges of vaccine side effects and post-COVID complications.
Videos circulating online have depicted a rising trend of sudden deaths occurring in various settings, including taxi drivers, delivery personnel, university professors, and celebrities. These incidents involve individuals of increasingly younger ages, prompting concerns about the concealment of the true causes of death by authorities.
Under a trending topic on Weibo titled “Are many people having fevers recently,” users shared their experiences:
“My child and husband both tested positive in Chengdu.”
“I’ve been experiencing symptoms like whole-body pain, chills, and fever, but my temperature is normal. I’ve been tested for both the flu and COVID-19, but I’m unsure of what’s causing it. I wear masks, practice social distancing, but still suspect something lingering.”
“There are quite a few coughing, automatically assuming it’s COVID.”
“In a sea of flu cases, there’s a sprinkle of COVID and other respiratory illnesses. Yes, even adult hand-foot-and-mouth disease.”
“My subordinate suddenly had a fever but insisted on coming to work.”
“My older sister’s family falls ill again, now my nephew experienced his twelfth ailment in a year at kindergarten.”
“In Hangzhou, there seems to be some signs. Several colleagues have developed fevers. One male colleague started getting sick once the restrictions were lifted. All three were born in the mid-90s.”
Overall, the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 on heart health and the broader implications of the virus on individuals are subjects of deep concern among individuals and experts alike. The interplay between the virus and cardiovascular complications continues to be a topic of significant interest and investigation.