File photo is used for illustrative purposes
Published: Sunday, September 29, 2024, 8:14 p.m.
Thanks to the quick actions of the medical team at Astor Clinic in Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), a 33-year-old foreign man miraculously survived three sudden cardiac arrests in just one hour. The patient was brought in complaining of severe chest pain and was resuscitated three times through a series of life-saving measures.
The patient arrived at the clinic’s emergency room conscious but in pain. After the first electrocardiogram and echocardiogram, the foreign man suddenly collapsed during the surgery and suffered the first of three cardiac arrests.
The clinic’s Emergency Response Team (ERT), consisting of doctors, nurses, and administrative staff, sprung into action without delay. They immediately performed CPR and administered a defibrillator shock. After three cycles of CPR and two shocks, the patient’s pulse returned.
However, as preparations were being made for transport to hospital, the situation worsened as the patient suffered two further cardiac arrests within minutes.
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Each time the patient’s heart stopped, the medical team quickly performed resuscitation techniques and brought the patient back to life a second and third time. Their tenacity and adherence to medical protocols proved instrumental in saving the patient’s life.
“Early intervention is important”
These cases of heart failure could have been prevented if screening had been done and doctors had seen patients sooner.
Amir Hussain, 38, a kitchen helper in Sharjah, started experiencing severe chest pains that worsened over several hours. With a family history of heart disease and his father suffering a heart attack at age 45, Amir sought treatment at a local clinic. Tests revealed elevated troponin levels, indicating possible heart damage, and he was referred to Thumbay University Hospital.
A coronary angiogram revealed severe narrowing of the artery, so Amir underwent surgery to have three stents placed in his heart to restore blood flow. After the surgery, he was prescribed medication and advised to rest.
Dr. Sonny Manuel M.
Dr Sonny Manuel M, consultant interventional cardiologist at Thumbay University Hospital, said: “Early intervention is critical, especially in young patients with a family history of heart disease.” Recognizing the warning signs and seeking prompt care can have a significant impact on your outcome. Going forward, maintaining a healthy lifestyle will be essential for his heart health. ”
The importance of regular heart tests
As cardiovascular disease continues to be a major health concern around the world, medical experts emphasize the importance of regular heart exams, especially for adults over the age of 40. Cardiologists recommend that healthy adults, especially those over 40, have a heart exam every 2 to 4 years.
“If a patient has a family history of early-onset ischemic heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, or hypertension, this test should be done before the age of 40,” said Mohamed Ahmed, a cardiologist at Medcare Hospital Sharjah. Dr. Mohamed Fatih said. “Patients of any age should have their heart checked if they experience chest pain, especially during physical activity, as it may be an early sign of coronary artery blockage.”
Understanding heart blockage
“Not everyone has serious heart problems. However, arterial blockages are classified as follows: mild stenosis (less than 50 percent blockage), moderate stenosis (50 to 69 percent blockage). occlusion), severe stenosis (70 to 99 percent occlusion) can be fatal,” said Dr. Latifa Al. Mr. Khouri is a consultant cardiologist at Abu Dhabi’s Bourgere Hospital.
Dr. Latifa Al Khouri
He added that the severity and risk depend on the location of the blockage, whether it is in the main or secondary coronary artery. “Usually, a blockage of 70% or more is considered life-threatening.”
Identifying risk factors
For people with risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, or a family history of heart disease, doctors advise them to get tested as often as healthy people if they have no symptoms. Dr. Fatih suggested more frequent screening every 3 to 6 months to effectively monitor and manage risk factors.
“People with a family history of heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure are at higher risk of heart attack and atherosclerosis and should undergo a health check earlier than the general population. Heart tests in these people should be performed every four to six months to monitor comorbidities,” Dr. Fatih said.
warning sign
Doctors highlighted several serious warning signs that require immediate medical evaluation, even in people with no history of heart disease.
Dr. Ahmad Assaf
“Chest pain or discomfort, characterized by a feeling of tightness, squeezing, or fullness, can be a serious warning sign of heart disease. Sudden shortness of breath, whether during exercise or at rest, can also be serious. It could indicate a serious condition,” said Dr. Ahmad Assaf, a cardiologist at Aster Clinic in Fujairah.
Dr. Assaf also emphasized the importance of recognizing discomfort that spreads to the arms, back, neck, jaw, and stomach. “Concomitant symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, especially when associated with chest pain, light-headedness or dizziness that can lead to fainting, are serious warning signs. Unexplained fatigue and heavy sweating are important warning signs, especially when associated with chest pain.” If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s a further indicator that something is wrong. If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately,” Dr. Assaf said.
Recommended tests and lifestyle changes
Cardiologists unanimously agree on the importance of regular heart health tests, including blood pressure screenings, cholesterol tests, electrocardiograms (ECGs), and echocardiograms. “These tests are usually part of a routine cardiac exam, unless specific symptoms warrant further investigation,” Dr. Al Khoury said.
“Lifestyle modifications, such as a healthy diet and regular exercise, should complement regular heart health exams to maintain optimal cardiovascular health,” Dr. Fatih says. It added that even asymptomatic people are encouraged to regularly assess their heart health to detect potential problems early.
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