Why simplicity and trust help in a medical emergency

In emergencies, keep things simple: act fast, trust the doctors, and let modern medicine do its job.

- DR HEMANT MADAN

We often hear the phrase "Time is money." But in medicine, particularly during a heart attack, cardiologists use a different expression: "Time is muscle" or "Time is myocardium." This implies that with every passing minute during a heart attack, an individual loses heart muscle irretrievably. Hence, quicker the treatment, better is the outcome. Delays can be disastrous.

To understand this better, let us consider two real-life inspired scenarios.

CASE SCENARIO 1: A TRUSTING SIMPLE RESPONSE

A middle-aged farmer from a rural area suddenly developed severe chest pain while working in his fields. His daughter rushed him on a two-wheeler to the nearest town hospital. The doctors diagnosed a major heart attack and explained that an immediate cardiac procedure a coronary angiography followed by stent placement was urgently needed to save his life.

The family's approach was simple: "Doctor, please do your best and whatever is needed to save him." There was no debate about cost, no hesitation about whether the hospital was the "best" one, and no demand for second opinions.

The trust in the medical team was complete. Consent was given quickly, and the patient was taken for the procedure immediately.

The doctors successfully opened the blocked artery and restored blood flow to the heart. Because of this swift action, the patient's condition stabilized, and within two days, he was discharged home. Despite limited resources and a rural background of the family, the simplicity of their decision saved his life.

CASE SCENARIO 2: AN EVALUATIVE, HESITANT DELAYED RESPONSE