Doctors want more tests on Estrada’s heart
By Kristine L. Alave
Inquirer
Last updated 11:28pm (Mla time) 04/19/2007
MANILA, Philippines -- An electrocardiogram (ECG) has shown “abnormalities” in ousted President Joseph Estrada’s heart, according to his personal physician, who recommended that further tests be taken and ordered his patient to “control” his diet.
In a press briefing, Dr. Lorenzo Hocson said Estrada was suffering from a “right bundle branch block” which was detected during an examination Thursday at the Cardinal Santos Memorial Medical Center.
This means there is a delay or weakness in the transmission of electrical impulses from his heart, Hocson explained.
The findings did not come as a surprise, Hocson said, as he first noticed the condition two weeks ago during an ECG he conducted on Estrada in the latter’s Tanay, Rizal, estate where he is detained pending the verdict in his plunder trial.
Hocson said the former President had complained of “on and off chest pains” as well as pain in the lower back.
According to mayoclinic.com, a bundle branch block may be a symptom of a more serious heart ailment.
“It can occur in people who appear healthy, and it’s often a sign of an underlying heart problem,” it said.
“Even though interference with the impulses may happen for only a fraction of a second, that may be enough to cause bundle branch block. Bundle branch block impairs your heart’s ability to pump blood forcefully and efficiently through your circulatory system and makes your heart work harder,” the US-based Mayo Clinic’s website said.
Estrada also had his chest, spine and knees X-rayed. He underwent knee replacement surgery in Hong Kong in 2005.
Estrada was given a day-long furlough Thursday by the Sandiganbayan antigraft court -- which tried his case -- on the occasion of his 70th birthday.
He left his estate at 8 a.m. for the hospital, from which he proceeded at 11 a.m. to his house in North Greenhills, San Juan, where family, friends and the senatorial candidates of the Genuine Opposition awaited him. He was supposed to be back in Tanay by 5 p.m.
With the ECG findings, Hocson said he urged the Sandiganbayan to extend Estrada’s leave to allow him to undergo more tests like a CT scan, an MRI and a blood work-up to determine his true condition.
“I was not able to finish all the tests,” Hocson said.