WORLD HEART DAY
To raise awareness about cardiovascular diseases, Mr. KC Patel, 75, shares his experience. Despite a fairly active lifestyle for most of his life, he was referred for emergency quadruple coronary artery by-pass (CABG) surgery for 90% blockage and considers himself lucky to have got the right treatment at the right time to escape the trauma of having a heart attack.
Please tell us a bit about yourself
I have been very active sports wise and work wise both at the University and place of work. My normal day to day routine used to be jogging, long distance walking, trekking, cycling, cricket. Generally it can be said that I did not have a sedentary life style both at home and at place of work. At work every day six days a week, I used to cover 6 to 7 Kms. by foot going around various workshops.
At my place of work it was mandatory to go through stress test every year. I used to cover around 12 to 14 minutes on the trade mill and used to pass the stress test with flying colours.
At the age of 60 years I retired from active service and had a fall injuring the left hip (ball socket joint) which incapacitated me for six months due to restructuring of ball and socket joint (not hip replacement). Due to this surgery various other physical activities had been discontinued except for walking, stretching exercises and yoga.
At this stage in the year 2003, I was diagnosed with hypertension and hypothyroidism, when I suddenly put on six kilos in weight and B.P. rose to 150 / 90. My heart rate was the same at 65.
When were you diagnosed?
I was referred for emergency quadruple coronary artery by-pass (CABG) surgery in July 2015. I apparently had more than 90% blockage in 4 of my coronary arteries.
What were the early symptoms?
The early symptoms were shortness of breath with exertion. I had also noticed some indigestion and gas during the few weeks before the surgery. I did not experience any of the usual heart failure symptoms or signs that one is expected to look out for. I was travelling to USA at this time and my wife noticed excessive sweating during packing and unpacking of luggage. I discarded the sweating as a sign of my thyroid fluctuation. One morning, I found myself unusually tired during my routine walk. My son who is a surgeon in the US, took me to his hospital for a check-up. The same day I had an angioplasty procedure done that revealed severe narrowing(stenosis) of 4 coronary arteries and was immediately referred for CABG the following day.
Is there a history of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) in your family?
Yes. My great grand father, grand father and father all had CAD. Mother had stroke. Sister has under gone Angioplasty.
What is your present condition?
I am doing well. No symptoms. Clinical exam is essentially normal. The symptoms of shortness of breath with exertion have gone. The indigestion and gas also subsided post-surgery.
Any related complications?
Everything is normal commensurate with the age.
What medications are you on?
Before CAD and CABG following medication was prescribed by the GP:
1. Targit 20 mg. 2) Zivast 10 mg. 3) Thyronorm 50 mg.
After CABG : from 23rd July 2015
1. Metpure XL 12.5 2) Ecosprin AV (75+10) 3) Targit 20 mg 4) Thyronorm 50 mg.
Were there any side-effects of the medicines?
Yes minor stiffening of joints and muscles. These side effects are taken care of by my G.P. by varying the dosages.
What were some of the challenges you faced and what is your advice to patients who face similar challenges?
I, as an individual, did not face any unmanageable challenges as my son who is a multi-organ transplant surgeon is at hand for guiding and advising. My advice to the patients who face similar challenges is that even for any minor problem they should consult a doctor immediately and act according to his/her advice.
Have you learnt anything in managing in your condition that you wish you knew before?
Having a doctor son in the family I was getting all the tips and guidance even before CAD. Nothing came as a surprise and neither did I have a feeling that I did not know something. I was however lucky to have got the right treatment at the right time and escape the trauma of having a heart attack!
What kind of specialists do you consult and how often?
I visit my GP regularly at an interval of three months for ECG and blood testing and prescription for medicines. I go to the cardiologist for annual cardiac check up, once a year as per GP’s advice. This consists of 2D ECHO with Cardiac Doppler Test.
What resources are available to you in your city to help you manage the condition?
In a place like Pune, which is a metropolitan city all the latest medical treatment is available for heart conditions. Post operation care facilities are available at reasonable costs.
Have you had to make some changes to your lifestyle because of your condition?
After going through CABG, doctors have advised me to carry on as before without over-taxing myself in any way and I am following this advice.
Has it been difficult emotionally to cope with your condition?
As I am very independent minded, I had no difficulty in coping with the surgery and recovery.
How has your family supported you? How did your friends treat you?
I get full support from my close family and relatives.
My friends were surprised that I had a by-pass surgery as I am a very active person. I have not been isolated by my friends and there is no change in our earlier lifestyle of socialising.
What was the hardest part of the treatment? What kept you going? How has this changed your life perspectives and ambitions?
As I was well informed about the CAD and CABS and I did not have emergency situation while going through surgery, it did not create any panic situation. Best part was my son is a surgeon I received a lot of help which ensured that nothing will go wrong. At the age of 75 I do not have any ambition to be achieved except enjoying life by visiting unseen parts of the world.
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