Zen Hospital Successfully Treated series of Young Heart Attack Patients during the lockdown

A team headed by Dr. Narayan Gadkar, Cardiologist, Zen Multispeciality Hospital successfully treated 6 heart attack patients below the age of 42. Coronavirus has become a matter of public health concern in India and three of those patients were denied admission by the other centers who underwent successful treatment in the form of angioplasty at Zen Hospital. All the patients were fine at follow-up, and their heart pumping significantly improved. The patients are back on track owing to timely treatment provided by the hospital.

During this crucial period, since last month, Zen Hospital has treated around 8 patients with heart attack amongst which 6 were below 42 yrs. These patients have been able to overcome heart attacks due to prompt treatment.

Dr Narayan Gadkar, Cardiologist, Zen Multispeciality Hospital Chembur highlighted, “The patients encountered chest pain (ignored as acidity at first in four of them) and suffered from a heart attack. A heart attack can be described as a serious medical emergency wherein blood supply to the heart is suddenly blocked, due to the blood clot. Among 8 patients, one was a new case of diabetes, 2 were smokers, and dyslipidemic. It was surprising to see a lot of young patients this month. Stress probably also must have contributed to it. A delay in treatment could have led to the significant injury of the heart muscles and an unpleasant long-term outcome. Hence, a primary angioplasty was performed on these patients (in the window period) which is 60 minutes (an hour).”

Dr. Gadkar added, “A primary angioplasty helps remove blockages within the coronary arteries and restores the blood flow to one’s heart muscle. This procedure involves the stretching of any narrowed areas of the coronary arteries via a balloon followed by a stent. The catheter is inserted into the main artery through the upper leg or one’s lower arm. Then, it is passed gently into one’s aorta (which is the large artery that tends to supply the heart muscle with its own blood supply). Later, the balloon which is at the tip of the catheter is blown up at the narrowed areas of one’s artery. This helps widen the artery and opens it. The procedure takes about 20 minutes, and the patients are shifted to the normal ward from ICU, after a day.”

All the patients have been discharged and subsequently perform their daily routine in a couple of weeks’ time. Their heart pumping has significantly improved at follow up. It is essential to embrace a healthy lifestyle that is opting for a well-balanced diet, staying physically fit, and practicing relaxation techniques like meditation to de-stress and keep heart attack at bay.