In emergencies, keep things simple: act fast, trust the doctors, and let modern medicine do its job.
Real-life cases show that simplicity, trust in medical teams, and quick consent can save lives, while hesitation and evaluation in emergencies can be fatal. (Image: File)
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, the quicker the treatment, the better 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. 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, the simplicity of their decision saved his life.
Case Scenario 2: An Evaluative, Hesitant Delayed Response
Similarly, another middle-aged man, living in a metropolitan city, suffered from a severe heart attack on a cold winter night. He was taken to a well-equipped and famous hospital by his son. The doctors rightfully advised urgent angiography and immediate stenting.
This time, the family took an evaluative approach. While they reluctantly agreed to the angiography, they wanted to defer stenting until another opinion could be obtained. It was the middle of a cold winter night, and no other senior cardiologist was available immediately. Despite repeated explanations by the treating team that every minute mattered, the family chose to wait.
Sadly, before morning and before a second opinion could be arranged, the patient suffered a sudden cardiac arrest. Despite resuscitation attempts, he did not survive. Ironically, in a city with advanced hospitals and resources, the time lost in evaluation proved fatal.
Simplicity vs. Evaluative Responses in Emergencies
Being evaluative and analytical is usually a positive trait. Evaluating options, checking details, comparing costs, and securing the best deal are smart and responsible behaviors. In non-emergency medical care — such as planned surgeries or chronic illness management — an evaluative approach ensures better outcomes and avoids unnecessary risks.
But emergencies are different. During a heart attack, the problem is immediate, life-threatening, and time-sensitive. Every minute of delay means more heart muscle is lost, increasing the risk of death or long-term disability. In such situations, simplicity — acting fast, trusting the available medical team, and focusing only on saving life — is far more effective than evaluation.
Why Time Matters in a Heart Attack
A heart attack occurs when one of the arteries supplying blood to the heart gets blocked, usually by a clot forming over a cholesterol plaque. Once blood supply is cut off, the heart muscle downstream begins to suffocate and die.
In the first 60 to 90 minutes, urgent treatment like angioplasty (ballooning and stenting) can restore blood flow and save almost all of the threatened heart muscle.
Between 3 to 6 hours, much of the damage is irreversible. Even if the patient survives, they may live with a permanently weakened heart.
That is why cardiologists emphasize: “In a heart attack, every minute counts.”
Trust During Emergencies
Modern medicine offers powerful life-saving tools. Coronary angioplasty and stenting are globally accepted standards of care for major heart attacks and have immensely improved outcomes.
Procedural success, however, also depends heavily on timely consent. In emergencies, the family’s willingness to trust the treating team is just as important as the doctor’s skill. If consent is delayed by long discussions, financial debates, or insistence on multiple opinions, the treatment opportunity may be lost. Simplicity — trusting the process and acting quickly — allows technology to save lives.
A Broader Lesson for Families
The contrast between the rural and urban cases is a reminder that mindset matters more than geography or resources. Even with limited facilities, a quick and simple decision can save a life. In contrast, even in the most advanced hospital, delays caused by evaluation can prove fatal.
All families must prepare themselves with a plan for health-related emergencies. They should focus on recognizing emergencies such as a heart attack and realizing that immediate treatment improves survival.
It is important to keep basic information such as medical insurance, financial documents, and awareness of nearby emergency hospitals handy. This avoids panic when every minute is critical.
When Time Matters, Choose Simplicity
Life is unpredictable, and medical emergencies usually strike without warning. While it is wise to be thoughtful and evaluative in daily life, a heart attack is no time for hesitation.
The lesson is clear: in a medical emergency, simplicity saves lives and a quick, decisive action is the best gift you can give your loved one. In moments of emergency, keep things simple — act fast, trust the doctors, and let modern medicine do its job.
Prof Hemant Madan is an Interventional Cardiologist and Programme Head, Cardiac Sciences for Narayana Health
