Heart attack warning signs can be mistaken for indigestion, breathing difficulties or ordinary discomfort. Medcare cardiologists in Dubai and Sharjah share three cases involving patients who survived life-threatening cardiac arrests, highlighting why early medical attention matters.
DUBAI: Heart attack warning signs are not always obvious, and overlooking seemingly harmless symptoms can have life-threatening consequences. Cardiologists at Medcare Hospitals in Dubai and Sharjah have shared three remarkable survival stories involving patients whose hearts stopped during serious medical emergencies, highlighting the importance of recognising symptoms and seeking immediate treatment.
The cases, shared as part of a World Heart Day awareness initiative, reveal how chest discomfort, abdominal pain and breathing difficulties can sometimes signal a potentially fatal cardiac condition.
A 44-year-old mistakes chest pain for indigestion
For Godfrey, a 44-year-old UAE resident, what initially appeared to be ordinary indigestion turned into a medical emergency.
After experiencing intermittent chest discomfort for several days, he visited a clinic, where initial ECG and troponin tests returned normal results.
However, his condition deteriorated the following day when severe chest pain prompted him to seek emergency care at Medcare Hospital Al Safa.
Doctors discovered a 99% blockage in a major coronary artery. While receiving emergency treatment, Godfrey suffered cardiac arrest caused by ventricular fibrillation.
The medical team performed CPR and administered two defibrillator shocks before urgently restoring blood flow through an intervention.
Dr Jan Niclas Strickling, Specialist Interventional Cardiologist, explained that early symptoms can closely resemble digestive problems, causing patients to delay seeking medical attention.
A 70-year-old survives despite multiple health complications
At Medcare Hospital Sharjah, a 70-year-old patient arrived experiencing severe respiratory distress.
Already living with diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, chronic lung disease and serious vascular problems, his condition rapidly progressed to cardiac arrest.
Dr Mohammed Albialy Sulieman and his medical team successfully resuscitated the patient.
However, extensive vascular disease complicated the subsequent cardiac procedure, requiring doctors to find an alternative route to reach the affected artery.
The blockage was successfully treated, and the patient subsequently showed improved heart function during follow-up.
A 45-year-old suffers two cardiac arrests
In another Sharjah case, a 45-year-old Asian patient developed severe upper abdominal pain accompanied by heavy sweating.
Although a nearby clinic correctly diagnosed a serious heart attack, the patient collapsed while friends were driving him to hospital.
Dr Rupesh Singh, Specialist Cardiologist, explained that the patient’s heart stopped twice before emergency intervention successfully restored blood flow through a blocked artery.
Following two days in intensive care, he recovered and eventually returned to work.
Which heart attack symptoms should never be ignored?
The three cases demonstrate why recognising heart attack warning signs can be crucial, even when symptoms appear mild or earlier investigations seem reassuring.
Persistent chest discomfort, breathlessness, unexplained sweating, nausea or pain spreading towards the arm, back or jaw can indicate a cardiac emergency.
Anyone experiencing possible heart attack symptoms should seek emergency medical assistance immediately rather than waiting for the discomfort to disappear or travelling by private vehicle.
Impact to expect
These survival stories could encourage greater cardiovascular awareness across the UAE, particularly among younger adults and people living with diabetes, high blood pressure or elevated cholesterol. Earlier recognition of symptoms, preventive screening and timely emergency treatment may help reduce avoidable cardiac complications.
