Netizens mourn sudden death of star, seek answers

According to the National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, there are roughly 550,000 heart-related sudden deaths every year in China.

"Only a few simple pressing motions can 'revive' the patient from death. But the vast majority don't know anything about CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). When faced with emergency, they are helpless," said Chen Lijuan, associate chief physician at the cardiovascular department of Zhongda Hospital affiliated to Southeast University.

The incident also raised wider awareness on the availability of AED (automated external defibrillator) in public spaces. AEDs are portable electronic devices that can act as immediate first aid care for life-threatening cardiac complications, before professional medical practitioners arrive on the scene. They are designed to be used by non-medical professionals as a first-step care.

According to a report by The Beijing News, China began placing AEDs in public spaces in 2006, when 11 AEDs were placed at the Beijing Capital International Airport. Up to March, 2019, Beijing has roughly 150 AEDs in public spaces, in which 70 are at the airport.

According to New Weekly, Japan has 394 AED per 100,000 population, and the US has 317 per 100,000 population. In China, the figure is 0.2.

"For cardiac arrest, immediate first aid is key. If you miss the 'golden four minutes', even the Gods can't help," wrote Li Miaowen-Zhao Kexin.

The 35-year-old Gao, also known as Godfrey Tsao, was born in Taiwan and grew up in Canada. He first caught the publics eye as a fashion model. In 2011, Gao became the first Asian model to be signed by Louis Vuitton, and he played the role of Magnus Bane in 2013 Hollywood action film The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones. He became popular in 2016 when he starred in Remembering Lichuan, a television adaptation of a romance novel.

"Farewell, my beloved Wang Lichuan ... I will never, never, never, ever move on..." wrote Chen Mingzhang, director of Remembering Lichuan.