BEIJING: Not getting enough sleep can take a toll on our health. For celebrities who spend long hours filming, often through the night, the consequences can be particularly worrying.
One such person is Chinese actor Hu Ge.
The 44-year-old recently opened up about his health concerns on the Chinese medical talk show Healing Encounters, revealing that he now takes extra precautions because of problems with his heart.
He is so concerned that he carries emergency heart medication with him wherever he goes, and he also brings an automated external defibrillator (AED) whenever he travels for work.
The actor, who has also quit smoking due to his heart condition, admitted that he initially found carrying the device rather inconvenient.
But he eventually realised it could come in handy if someone else needed emergency help.
“At first, I thought it was quite troublesome, but then I realised that if someone else were to experience a medical emergency, I could use it to help them too,” he said.
Hu recalled spending more than three years filming the Chinese drama Blossoms Shanghai, with 60 to 70 per cent of the scenes shot at night.
The demanding schedule left him physically exhausted throughout production. He admitted that he began noticing a decline in his physical condition after turning 40—whereas in the past, he could bounce back from a night of filming simply by catching up on sleep.
Things became even more concerning after he spent seven months filming the 2026 drama Born to Be Alive in high-altitude regions. A medical check-up after he returned revealed abnormalities involving his heart and other areas.
The findings were a wake-up call for Hu, who now believes people should not wait until their health deteriorates before taking action.
“We often only start addressing our health when something goes wrong. But what I’ve come to realise is that everyone should take primary responsibility for their own life and health, rather than waiting until something happens before seeking medical attention,” he said.
Hu added: “Health and life are like credit cards. When you’re young, you keep overspending without thinking about having to pay it back. But now, it’s time to start settling the bill.”