Acute Coronary Syndrome Treatment in India

Amit Das, a 52-year-old software engineer...

Amit Das, a 52-year-old software engineer and father of two, had been working 70-hour weeks to meet a critical project deadline. With a family history of heart disease he ignored, he dismissed his fatigue as stress. One evening, while working late, he experienced a sudden, crushing pressure in his chest that radiated down his left arm, accompanied by cold sweat and profound nausea. His wife insisted on calling an ambulance. In the ER, an ECG and elevated troponin levels confirmed an NSTEMI (Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction). The cardiologist, Dr. Sharma, recommended an urgent coronary angiogram, explaining that a blocked artery needed to be identified and treated to prevent further heart muscle damage. In the cath lab, Amit was awake but sedated. The angiogram revealed a 90% blockage in his Left Anterior Descending (LAD) artery. Dr. Sharma performed a successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), placing a stent to open the artery. The physical sensation was strange but not painful. Post-procedure, in the Cardiac Care Unit, Amit felt immediate relief from the chest pressure. After a 2-day hospital stay, he began cardiac rehabilitation. His emotional journey was one of shock and denial initially, feeling 'too young' for this. The procedure brought a terrifying confrontation with his mortality. Afterwards, he felt profound gratitude but also anxiety about the future. The experience became a catalyst for change, leading him to prioritize his health, manage stress, and cherish time with his family, transforming his scare into a second chance.