Atherosclerosis Treatment in India

Diya Chopra, a 58-year-old former school...

Diya Chopra, a 58-year-old former school principal from Mumbai, had always been active but noticed a gradual decline in her stamina over two years. She began experiencing a tight, squeezing sensation in her chest (angina) when walking uphill or during stressful parent-teacher meetings, which would subside with rest. Initially, she dismissed it as stress or aging. Her family history was significant, with her father having had a heart attack at 65. Her cardiologist, Dr. Sharma, recommended a coronary angiogram after a stress test showed reversible ischemia. The angiogram revealed a critical 90% blockage in her Left Anterior Descending (LAD) artery, a condition often called the 'widow-maker'. Terrified by the term, Diya underwent a successful stent placement (PCI). The procedure itself was quick and done under local anesthesia; she felt only pressure. In recovery, the crushing chest pain was immediately gone. Over six weeks of cardiac rehab, she regained her confidence and energy. Emotionally, she journeyed from denial and fear to profound gratitude and a renewed commitment to her health, now advocating for heart health awareness among her former colleagues.