According to Dr. P. Kamath’s account, he had performed an emergency angioplasty on a patient suffering from a heart attack whom he had initially examined in a rural location.  @cardio73-X
India

Rickshaw Driver’s Quick Action Helps Save Heart Patient: Cardiologist Highlights Rural Medical Transport Gaps

Dr. P. Kamath of KMC Hospital, Mangalore, praises a rickshaw driver whose timely effort helped save a heart attack patient, drawing attention to transport challenges in rural India.

MBT Desk

In a heartwarming and eye-opening account, Dr. P. Kamath, Professor and Head of Cardiology at KMC Hospital, Mangalore, shared a real-life incident that underscores both the power of human compassion and the pressing challenges of emergency medical transport in rural India. Dr. Kamath, an interventional cardiologist and the founder of Cardiology at Doorsteps (CAD), recently posted on social media about a life-saving incident that began in a remote village and ended in the successful treatment of a heart attack patient — thanks to the courage and quick thinking of a local rickshaw driver.

A Life Saved by Timely Action: “time is muscle”

According to Dr. Kamath’s account, he had performed an emergency angioplasty on a patient suffering from a heart attack whom he had initially examined in a rural location. Following the successful procedure, he informed the patient’s relatives that prompt diagnosis and rapid transfer to the hospital had played a crucial role in saving the patient’s life. However, the cardiologist redirected their gratitude to the man outside the ward, the rickshaw driver.

This driver, Dr. Kamath explained, had driven the patient nearly 65 kilometers from his remote village to the nearest hospital in scorching afternoon heat. With no ambulance or proper transport available, the driver’s decision to act quickly ensured the patient received the necessary care in time.

In cardiology, there is a well-known phrase — “time is muscle” — emphasizing that every minute lost during a heart attack results in irreversible damage to the heart muscle. The rickshaw driver’s swift decision and persistence effectively bridged that critical time gap, making the difference between life and death.

The Reality of Rural Medical Transport in India

A 2023 report by the National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC) noted that while India’s 108 ambulance service network covers much of the country, rural response times often exceed 30–45 minutes, far longer than the ideal “golden hour” window for emergencies such as heart attacks or trauma injuries. In many cases, villagers rely on private vehicles, tractors, or even two-wheelers to reach the nearest hospital.

For cardiovascular emergencies, such delays can be fatal. Studies in the Indian Heart Journal indicate that door-to-balloon times—the interval between hospital arrival and angioplasty—are already a critical challenge in India. When delayed transportation is added, outcomes worsen significantly, especially in rural and semi-urban areas.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is angioplasty procedure?

Angioplasty is a minimally invasive medical procedure used to open blocked or narrowed coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart. A thin tube called a catheter with a small balloon at its tip is inserted into the artery. When the balloon inflates, it pushes the plaque against the artery walls, improving blood flow.

How is angioplasty different from bypass surgery?

While angioplasty involves opening the blocked artery using a balloon (and often placing a stent), bypass surgery creates a new route around the blockage using a vein or artery graft. Angioplasty is less invasive, requires shorter recovery time, and is often the preferred emergency procedure during heart attacks.

How soon should a heart attack patient receive angioplasty?

For patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) — a severe type of heart attack — primary angioplasty should ideally be performed within 90 minutes of hospital arrival. Quick access to emergency care and efficient rural medical transport systems are vital to achieving this “door-to-balloon” time and saving heart muscle.

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