Heart Attack,Angioplasty & Experiences

​The night of 19 December 2025 is something I will probably never forget.

I have already written an article on this subject earlier. This write-up is intended to share another aspect of that medical journey and some related experiences which may perhaps be of some use to heart patients and their families.

What I initially considered to be a routine health issue turned out to be a heart attack. Circumstances unfolded in such a way that on the very same day, Dr. Shubham Singhal performed an angioplasty on me in Agra, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that he saved my life.

During that angioplasty, it was also discovered that there were serious blockages in other coronary arteries. The doctors felt that treating the remaining blockages at the same time could be somewhat risky, and therefore that part of the treatment was deferred for a later date.

Several investigations followed, the most important of which was a Thallium Stress Test. Based on these investigations, it appeared that although there were blockages in three arteries, it might still be possible to treat them through angioplasty rather than through open-heart surgery.

Eventually, I consulted Dr. Praveen Chandra at Medanta Medicity Hospital, Gurugram. On 1 June 2026, he admitted me to the hospital and performed the required angioplasty on the same day, clearing the necessary blockages and carrying out whatever additional treatment was considered necessary. On 4 June 2026, I returned to my home in Firozabad and am now recovering steadily.

In my case, the doctors diagnosed Three Vessel Disease. One artery had been treated by Dr. Shubham Singhal in December 2025, while the remaining treatment was carried out by Dr. Praveen Chandra at Medanta Medicity in June 2026.

During this entire journey of illness and treatment, I had an experience that taught me that in medicine, good doctors alone are not enough; good systems and good management are equally important.

For the Thallium Stress Test, I visited a reputed hospital in the Delhi-NCR region. This was not Medanta Medicity, Gurugram, but another well-known hospital. The hospital was extremely modern, the doctors were qualified and experienced, and the staff was courteous and cooperative.

The doctor there decided that since my ECG was showing changes during treadmill exercise, stress would be induced through a drug injection rather than by physical exertion.

As I lay down for the test, I noticed that a vial of medication was being fitted into a large infusion machine and the dosage was being set. There appeared to be some confusion among the staff regarding the dosage. They repeatedly adjusted the quantity of a drug that sounded something like Adenosine. Their behaviour was excellent, but their uncertainty regarding the dosage was clearly visible.

Later, the doctor arrived and reminded the staff that the entire protocol was displayed on the wall in front of them, with the dosage clearly specified according to the patient’s weight, height and other parameters.

At that time the matter seemed to be resolved. However, when the drug actually entered my body and during the four-minute procedure I experienced intense pressure on my heart and body for nearly two minutes, I realised how significant even a small dosage error could potentially be.

After the stress test, as part of the Thallium Test procedure itself, I was asked to rest in a large hall for some time. After a while, I began to feel extremely cold and developed severe shivering. My younger sister Archana noticed my condition and requested the staff to provide me with a blanket.

Meanwhile, I told my younger brother Abhinav to go and have something to eat. Other members of the family were waiting outside in the waiting area.

My shivering, however, continued to worsen. An attendant accompanying another patient in the same hall, who happened to be from Kashmir, started rubbing the soles of my feet. When he felt that the situation was becoming serious, he immediately called a doctor.

I personally heard the doctor tell the staff that the patient’s condition was deteriorating and that adequate facilities to deal with a drug reaction or medical emergency were not available there. He instructed them to shift the patient immediately to the Emergency Department.

What followed was nothing short of a scene from a movie. Hospital staff were rushing my stretcher through corridors, doors were being opened and shut in quick succession, and behind us my sister, brother, wife and other family members were running in a state of panic.

Even after reaching the Emergency Department, there was some discussion among the doctors regarding which doctor and which department I belonged to. At that moment, I was reminded of incidents one occasionally hears about after accidents, where different police stations argue over jurisdiction and try to determine which station is responsible for the case. I experienced something somewhat similar at that time.

Fortunately, treatment was eventually provided, I recovered, completed the remaining investigations and returned home safely.

Let me make it absolutely clear that the purpose of mentioning this incident is not to criticise any hospital or individual. The hospital was excellent, the doctors were excellent, and the staff was also very good. However, the experience taught me that deficiencies in systems and management can sometimes create serious situations. Patients and their families should therefore pay attention to this aspect as well.

My experience at Medanta Medicity, Gurugram, on the other hand, was extremely positive. The doctors, staff, nursing services, dietetics department and overall treatment were highly satisfactory.

Yes, however, there was another test that I had to face — the insurance company.

My treatment was covered under health insurance, but the demand for documents became so exhausting that it truly tested everyone's patience. The hospital repeatedly submitted documents, yet every time some new objection seemed to arise.

My insurance agents, my younger brother Abhinav, my daughter Aishwarya, my nephew Abhisht, as well as several officers and employees of Medanta, made continuous efforts. Eventually, the claim was approved in a little less than twenty-four hours. Otherwise, I had already made up my mind to pay the hospital bill myself, return home and pursue reimbursement later.

This experience taught me that health insurance is extremely important, but it is equally important to keep all documentation properly organised during treatment. In my case, my documents were complete and accurate, but insurance companies naturally operate according to their own commercial rules and considerations. Today we all know how expensive medical treatment has become, and therefore health insurance is essential. At times, however, it appears that the attitude of insurance companies while selling a policy can be quite different from their attitude when a claim is made. Vigilance and caution are therefore equally important.

The purpose of this article is not to damage the reputation of any person, hospital or institution. That is why I am deliberately not mentioning the name of either that hospital or that insurance company. My only purpose is to share experiences.

Finally, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Shubham Singhal of Agra, Dr. Praveen Chandra of Medanta Medicity, Dr. Rajat Pachauri and the entire team led by Dr. Praveen Chandra.

I would also like to thank the nursing staff, the dietetics department and all other employees at Medanta with whom I interacted during my treatment. I would also like to mention that Dr. Praveen Chandra and I turned out to be alumni of the same institution, Colvin Taluqdars’ College, Lucknow. I passed out in 1978, while Dr. Praveen Chandra passed out in 1980. It was a pleasant surprise to learn that Dr. Praveen Chandra has also been honoured with the Padma Shri by the Government of India.

As for my brother-in-law, Dr. Apurva Chaturvedi, words are simply inadequate. As always, he provided guidance, support and reassurance at every step. My heartfelt good wishes are always with him. May God keep him healthy, happy and blessed with a long life, and may he continue helping those in need, supporting people and bringing hope into their lives through his knowledge and service.

My deepest gratitude also goes to all my family members, friends, well-wishers and the countless people who prayed for me, encouraged me and stood by me throughout this difficult period.

By the grace of God, the blessings of my parents and elders, the love and support of my family, and the tireless efforts of my doctors, I am fortunate to be among you today.

🙏🙏