43-year-old Mr. Omar Khalil knew that there was something wrong since he experienced frequent chest pain.
In many cases when people experience moderate pain, they tend to brush it off as a minor inconvenience – however, Omar realized that this was not something he should ignore without medical consultation. This turned out to be a life-saving realization as he required urgent open-heart surgery.
Omar visited Fakeeh University Hospital after experiencing mild to moderate chest pain and was also aware of a family history of heart disease. Pre-op investigations by Dr. Khaldoun Taha, Consultant Cardiology, revealed a life-threatening and extremely tight narrowing in three main branches of the coronary artery. He was advised and prepared for the first-ever Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) at Fakeeh University Hospital’s Surgical Institute.
“I was aware that conditions like diabetes and dyslipidemia could negatively impact my health in ways I would not be aware of. Hence, I chose caution and did not ignore the chest pain. I am glad that I was proactive in prioritizing my health,” said Omar.
Within 24 hours of seeking medical attention, Omar underwent open-heart surgery (CABG). The surgical team led by Dr. Faouzi Safadi, Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon also included a dedicated and multidisciplinary team of anesthetists, intensivists, and respiratory therapists, among other disciplines.
“The first ever CABG at FUH’s Surgical Institute was performed successfully and was followed by smooth post-operative recovery allowing the patient to be discharged within 7 days.
It’s amazing how Omar was aware of his underlying risks and did not ignore the signs of the body.
It is crucial to raise awareness about the importance of a healthy lifestyle, and early detection and treatment of risk factors to prevent the development of heart conditions,” said Dr. Faouzi Safadi, Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon at Fakeeh University Hospital.
“The thought of open-heart surgery was daunting. However, my experience at the hospital was the opposite of it. The calming environment and staff made the whole process very smooth, and I feel great now,” said Omar before he returned home on 14th February, just in time to celebrate the day of love with his family.
Such feats are always a combined effort of cardiac surgeons, nurses, anesthesiologists, ICU teams, technicians, and hospital administrators. The skill and enterprise of surgeons combined with technological expertise allow Fakeeh University Hospital’s Surgical Institute to offer the complex tertiary-level care that patients require.
FUH aims to offer dedicated care for every patient with a focus on precise diagnosis, smooth post-op recovery, and better health outcomes.
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the most common heart diseases that occurs when the blood vessels that supply oxygen to the heart become narrowed or blocked, leading to chest pain, discomfort, shortness of breath, and other symptoms. Cholesterol plaque in the arteries and inflammation is the leading cause of CAD. This condition is a major cause of cardiovascular deaths worldwide.
Coronary Artery Disease develops over time causing symptoms that go unnoticed until significant blockage develops, causing severe symptoms or heart attack. Chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, fatigue, and the occurrence of a heart attack often precede a CAD diagnosis. Obesity, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, and smoking are associated with the development of CAD. It is important to note that many of these risk factors are on the rise, with a 2010 Ministry of Health and Prevention report, revealing that the prevalence of smoking any tobacco product in the UAE is 21.6% among men and 1.9% among women. Further, the prevalence of obesity among adults in the UAE is 27.8%, according to the National Health Survey 2017-2018.
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