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Heart disease does not always manifest as a heart attack - though the symptoms may be the same.

In Part 10 of our series, we describe how a little carelessness can delay the diagnosis of cardiovascular disease.

By Asma Ali Zain

Published: Mon 18 Feb 2019, 9:00 PM

Last updated: Thu 2 Feb 2023, 2:17 PM

Heart disease does not always manifest as a heart attack - though the symptoms may be the same.

Indian national Mohammed Aly, 50, learned it by ignoring the fact that he, as a diabetic, was at high risk of heart disease.

The banker, who has been in the UAE for the past 25 years, said he has always maintained an active lifestyle. "I am generally active since I am a sports person," Aly told Khaleej Times. "I was not active only for a few years because of work pressure and lack of time."

He has also never suffered from high blood pressure or cholesterol. In December 2017 and January 2018, however, Aly caught a cold that didn't seem to go away.

"It started as a normal cold with fever and cough." Aly then started treating it with home remedies.

"The coughing became severe and soon, I could not breathe properly, especially at night," he said.

Aly said he hadn't been checking his blood sugar for almost five to six months at that time, and he didn't think his diabetic condition would be affecting his heart.

"I had started taking antibiotics but they, too, did not seem to be working."

It was only when he noticed some swelling in his feet that he consulted his doctor, who then referred him to a cardiologist.

Test results showed that his heart wasn't pumping as hard it should.

"Doctors found that my arteries were blocked, and a surgery was done on February 4 last year to place two stents," he said.

Aly said it took him some time to fully recover from the surgery, but his health has improved after that.

"I am now controlling my food and I am back to my routine of walking for more than half an hour daily at least," he said.

Medicines have also helped improve his heart muscle. "I take aspirin and other medicines to control my blood pressure and cholesterol, along with the medicine to control my blood sugar," he said.

His advice for people is to look out for any unusual health symptoms, especially if they are at risk of certain diseases.

What to do if you or someone else may be having a heart attack

>>Call 988/999 for an ambulance or your local emergency number.
>> Don't ignore or attempt to tough out the symptoms of a heart attack. If you don't have access to emergency medical services, have a neighbour or a friend drive you to the nearest hospital.
>> Drive yourself only as a last resort, and realize that it places you and others at risk when you drive under these circumstances.
>> Chew and swallow an aspirin, unless you are allergic to aspirin or have been told by your doctor never to take it.
>> Begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if the person is unconscious. If you're with a person who is unconscious, tell the 998 dispatcher or another emergency medical specialist. You may be advised to begin cardiopulmonary CPR.
>> If you haven't received CPR training, doctors recommend performing only chest compressions (about 100 to 120 compressions a minute). The dispatcher can instruct you on the proper procedures until help arrives.
>> If an automated external defibrillator (AED) is immediately available and the person is unconscious, follow the instructions specified on the device.

asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com