Heart attacks are becoming more common now. It goes without saying that many youngsters today are suffering from heart-related conditions and also frequently succumbing to cardiac arrests. While heart conditions of any serious kind to warrant medical attention was previously thought to be associated with age, nowadays, people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s are also facing severe heart issues and emergency conditions needing urgent intervention.
Recently, a 41-year-old man survived a fatal widowmaker heart attack in Mumbai. According to a statement made by Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road — where the man was treated — he had undergone an angioplasty, which is an effective treatment for arterial blockages. It improves blood flow and relieves symptoms.
The minimally-invasive medical procedure is done to widen narrowed or blocked arteries. Post-discharge, however, the patient abruptly discontinued blood thinners without consulting with his doctor. He then reached the emergency department of the hospital with severe chest pain, profuse sweating, pain radiating to the left arm, and persistent vomiting for 30 minutes.
Upon examination, it was found to be a case of left main coronary artery (LMCA) cardiogenic shock syndrome, or widowmaker heart attack, a serious condition with a high mortality rate. It requires prompt and skilled intervention to save a life.
Doctors had to perform a high-risk intervention to save the life of the man, who had a 100 per cent stenosis (abnormal narrowing of a blood vessel) of the left main coronary artery.
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In May this year, the patient — with a history of smoking — was at home when he experienced severe chest pain. He reached Wockhardt Hospitals in a terrible condition; his blood pressure readings were 60 mmHg, which is very low. Doctors realised immediately that his life was in danger and had to conduct an immediate procedure!
The patient’s condition had worsened and his ECG revealed extensive anterior wall myocardial infarction, which has the highest mortality. Within 30 minutes of his arrival, an angiography was performed on the patient, during which, it was revealed that he had had a previous percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) with stenting done to the left anterior descending artery (LAD), some 10 years ago. But, he had stopped taking his medication four months prior.
As such, he needed immediate angioplasty to save his life. There were some challenges, though. According to the doctor, the man was shifted to the ICU after angioplasty, and he developed cardiogenic shock due to the large area of myocardial involvement.
The LMCA cardiogenic shock syndrome is a serious condition with high mortality rates. LMCA is also called a widowmaker heart attack, which occurs when a patient experiences a major blockage at the beginning of the left main artery. This artery is a major pipeline for blood, carrying about 80 per cent of the heart’s blood supply. If blood flow is 100 per cent blocked at this critical location, it can be fatal without emergency care.
The patient was discharged after three days of angioplasty in stable condition. He has been able to return to his job and daily routine with regular follow-ups for the last 3 months. He is free of all the symptoms. However, doctors urge patients to not discontinue blood thinners or any medication without a doctor’s permission, since it can be dangerous and lead to blockages or heart attacks, and even death. Continuing with the medication is essential for preventing any further emergencies, they say.
Common reasons for rise in heart attack cases
- Poor lifestyle choices like staying up late
- Eating unhealthy food
- Lack of exercise
- Smoking and tobaco consumption
- High stress level
- Hypertension
- Diabetes
- Family background
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