On June 5 as I was cycling towards my home I felt a slight discomfort in the chest. As I was cycling a bit fast that day I thought maybe the cycling was causing the discomfort and perspiration.

However the discomfort and pain became worse even after I had rested for sometime at home. Immediately I alerted my son and my mother. She asked me to sit down and gave me some drinking water to comfort the pain, but that did not help. Soon my sister who is a gynaecologist arrived with her husband on

being informed about the situation. She insisted on going to a hospital and as per her husband’s suggestion we left for Norvic Hospital, speculating some heart problem.

The journey to the hospital took sometime due to heavy rain and the evening traffic. I was rushed to the emergency ward and on doctors suggestion they did an ECG test. After a few questions and going through the ECG report they explained to my family members that I had a major heart attack. My family members got alarmed and asked for immediate treatment. The doctor told them that the only option was angioplasty.

A senior Cardiologist came for my check up. As already expected a major Coronary artery was found to be completely blocking my heart from the necessary blood supply, (I later realised, each minute thousands of my cardiac muscle cells were dying incapacitating the heart).

In the following few minutes (as the doctor explained later) the blocked artery was crossed with a wire and opened with a balloon. Suddenly my pain began to decrease. I was sure of my survival!

I was taken to an intensive care room and was allowed to meet my family. I was discharged after five days. It’s already more than a month and now I am physically active doing normal work with much ease. My family and I have learned the importance of a prompt diagnosis and immediate treatment in case of a heart attack. I am very fortunate have received immediate treatment.

Shakti Rana, Bane-shwar, Kathmandu