World Heart Day: How Pakistani Expat In UAE Survived Rare Heart Rupture

Pakistani expat heart rupture Dubai survivor Shah Nawaz experienced a rare and life-threatening cardiac complication that required urgent surgical intervention to save his life. The 53-year-old businessman was rushed to Aster Hospital, Qusais with severe chest pain lasting four days, later diagnosed with a massive anterior wall heart attack complicated by a Ventricular Septal Rupture (VSR), a rare tear in the heart’s septum that severely impairs blood circulation.

Dr Sandeep Shrivastava, Consultant Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeon, explained that VSR causes abnormal blood flow between heart chambers, leading to breathing difficulties, reduced oxygen supply, and rapid clinical deterioration. VSR is among the most dangerous post-heart attack complications, with a high mortality rate if untreated.

Nawaz underwent complex surgery that involved closing the septal tear and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) to restore blood flow. Despite fragile heart tissue and other risks, the multidisciplinary medical team achieved a remarkable outcome. Nawaz was off ventilator support the same day, required no transfusions, and was discharged within four days, showing steady recovery.

Heart rupture— a tear in the heart muscle wall—typically occurs within days after a severe heart attack and presents with sudden severe chest pain, breathlessness, shock, and symptoms of heart failure. Timely diagnosis and surgical repair are critical, with treatments including patch repair of septal or free wall ruptures and bypass surgery when arteries are blocked.

Prevention focuses on controlling risk factors like blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol, along with lifestyle measures including healthy diet, exercise, smoking cessation, and medication adherence post-heart attack. Patients with chest pain must seek immediate care to prevent fatal complications.