Case Study
Every now and then we hear that a particular person has died from heart attack or has suffered a heart attack. The standard treatment window for a heart attack is within 2 hours of chest pain and within 90 minutes of reaching the hospital. The patient should get balloon angioplasty done which is essentially synonymous to opening a blocked artery and putting a spring inside to prevent its collapse.
After the procedure is done, the patient is sent home with medications to lower cholesterol to prevent re-blockage. However, sometimes due efforts are not made in collecting sound patient history which can in turn leave out valuable medical information.
The following factors must be considered in every patient:-
- History of smoking if any – whether it is more than 2 packets per day
- Alcohol consumption at the time of referral
- Having abdominal circumference 90 cm in women and 80 cm in male
- Having High serum insulin level with simultaneous high BP level
- Suggested insulin resistance if any due to High Post Foot / Sugar Level
- High LPa level
- Cynical behaviour
- Intake of excess of sugar, refined when and rice
Unless we properly analyse and control these risk factors, the patient might suffer from another heart attack over a period of time.
Dr K K Aggarwal, Recipient of Padma Shri, Vishwa Hindi Samman, National Science Communication Award and Dr B C Roy National Award. Gold Medallist. Limca Book of Record Holder. National President, Indian Medical Association and President, Heart Care Foundation of India.