THE TRUTH ABOUT RICO YAN'S DEATH

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Expert explains cause of Rico Yan's death

by Miguel Dumaual, ABS-CBNnews.com

Posted at 03/29/2012 4:07 AM | Updated as of 03/29/2012 4:59 PM

New findings show overeating not related to 'bangungot'

Genes cause bangungot in 30% of cases, says Dr. Giselle Gervacio

MANILA, Philippines – Ten years since his sudden passing in 2002, the late actor Rico Yan is no less loved by his family and loyal fans. Now, with recent scientific findings that clarify the cause of his death, supporters and loved ones alike can have a better understanding of the unexpected death that perplexed the nation.

It was 10 years ago when matinee idol Rico Yan suddenly died at the Dos Palmas resort in Palawan, where he was on vacation with friends for the Holy Week. The reported cause of his death was cardiac arrest due to acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis, which was then attributed to Yan having slept on a full stomach after a party.

Until recently, it was common belief that hemorrhagic pancreatitis was the scientific term for “bangungot.” But recent findings show that while Yan may have died from “bangungot,” the medical translation of the word has taken on an entirely different meaning.

According to Dr. Giselle Gervacio, cardiologist and electrophysiologist at the St. Luke’s Medical Center, “bangungot” is not connected to the pancreatic system; rather, it is foremost a case of sudden irregularities in heart rate.

“Puso talaga ang pinanggagalingan ng totoong bangungot, in particular, nagkakaroon ng napakabilis na heart beat biglaan,” Gervacio told dzMM’s “Magandang Gabi Dok” on Wednesday.

“’Yun ‘yung nagdudulot ng cardiac arrest, kasi sobrang bilis ng heart beat, minsan 300 beats per minute, at 60 to 100 ang normal na heart beat per minute, so ang 300 sobrang bilis, hindi na kinakaya ng puso, wala ka nang blood flow noon sa organs.”

Sudden Unexplained Death Syndrome

As with the case of Yan, a person who experiences this sudden spike in heart beat during his sleep may not be able to wake up. This abrupt happenstance is medically termed SUDS or “Sudden Unexplained Death Syndrome,” said Gervacio.

Before the occurrence of SUDS, the patient usually exhibits struggle during his sleep, which Gervacio explained to be the origin of the word “bangungot.”

“’Yung word itself, ‘bangon’ at ‘ungol’ ‘yung root word niya. Ganun kasi mismo ‘yung itsura niya – parang makikita na tila bumabangon ‘yung tao habang tulog at umuungol, so para siyang nagkukumbulsyon,” she said.

At dawn on March 29 at Dos Palmas in Palawan, Yan was reported to have exhibited a similar behavior before he was found dead at 9 a.m. According to his friend and companion actor Dominic Ochoa, Yan was heard groaning at around 6 a.m., but this was dismissed as his usual snoring.

In cases when an individual is observed to show such signs of “bangungot” and cannot be awakened, Gervacio advised thumping on the person's chest or bringing him immediately to the hospital.

Thumping the patient’s chest, with some luck, can bring back the normal rhythm of the heart rate, Gervacio said. In worse cases, a defibrillator may be needed to “shock” the patient’s heart rate back to normal.

Not hemorrhagic pancreatitis

Having a better understanding of “bangungot” can help in saving potential victims from a case of SUDS,Gervacio said, emphasizing foremost that “bangungot” should not be confused with hemorrhagic pancreatitis.

She explained that early studies of “bangungot” may have associated it with the pancreatic system because of the autopsies accounted on bangungot victims.

“Kung titingnan nating ‘yung history ng pagkadiskubre ng bangungot, na-notice nila marami sa mga binabangungot ay nakainom kaya rin siguro na-associate sa pancreatitis,” she said.

“’Yung mga unang otopsiya na nagawa, nakita nila parang merong pagbabago sa lapay, o sa pancreas, kaya nung una akala nila, dito sa atin sa Pilipinas ay pancreatitis ‘yung cause, but that has already been disproven.

“’Yung pagbabago sa lapay na nakita sa otopsiya ay dahil patay na ‘yung patient, hindi ‘yun ‘yung pumatay sa pasyente. So puso na ngayon ang tinitingnan na dahilan ng bangungot.”

Causes of ‘bangungot’

Gervacio also clarified that sleeping on a full stomach, which had also been pointed as a cause of Yan’s death, does not cause “bangungot.”

“Hindi connected. Isa ‘yan talaga sa mga inaakala ng mga tao, na parang trigger ‘yung sobrang busog sa pagka-bangungot, pero gaya ng sabi ko, mukhang hindi naman siya related sa bituka o sa lapay,” Gervacio said.

On the actual cause of “bangungot,” Gervacio said an established link is the genes of victims, but other possibilities are yet to be explored.

“In 30 per cent [of the cases], sa genes – pinanganak ka nandun na ‘yung sanhi. ‘Yung other 70 per cent, tinatawag naming ‘sporadic.’ Wala sa genes, bigla nalang lumilitaw. Hanggang sa ngayon, hindi pa rin talaga napapaliwanag kung bakit lilitaw ito sa isang tao at hindi sa iba,” Gervacio said.

Followers of Philippine entertainment’s Mr. Dimples continue to celebrate his life and works as an actor.

Yan would have turned 37 years old last March 14. He was under an exclusive contract with ABS-CBN and was a member of the network's Star Magic, which launched his showbiz career through leading roles in TV shows including “Mula sa Puso” and “Gimik.”

Yan also starred in various films under ABS-CBN’s film outfit Star Cinema, including “Dahil Mahal na Mahal Kita,” “Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay,” and “Got 2 Believe.”

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