Saudi Gazette report

MAKKAH — The Ministry of Health revealed that a Saudi medical team has rescued a Pakistani pilgrim, who was suffering from rapid heartbeat and severe chest pain while performing prayers at the Grand Mosque.

The pilgrim, who is in his mid-sixties, was immediately taken to the Heart Center at King Abdullah Medical City (KAMC), a member of the Makkah Health Cluster, and a diagnostic cardiac catheterization was performed after conducting all the required checkups and x-rays.

The results showed that he was suffering from symptoms of cardiomyopathy, a severe weakness in the heart muscle and hence the medical team decided to implant cardioverter-defibrillator device for the heart muscle to protect it against sudden cardiac arrest and regulate the heartbeat.

The patient was subjected to an electric catheter procedure with cauterization to treat the disorder that caused the acceleration of the heartbeat. A rapid heartbeat, or tachycardia, is a condition in which the heart is beating fast, generally more than 100 beats per minute for an adult.

The ministry said that the pilgrim is convalescing and his condition is being closely followed up at the hospital until his full recovery before the beginning of Hajj rituals.

A few days ago, the emergency wing of KAMC rescued an Iranian pilgrim, who suffered from acute angina pectoris while he was on his way to the Grand Mosque to perform prayers.

The medical team from the KAMC Heart Center performed an urgent diagnostic catheterization and CT scans that showed the presence of blockage of more than two arteries, causing acute angina pectoris.

The ministry said that the continuous cooperation and integrated coordination between various sectors of the Makkah Health Cluster and KAMC have been instrumental in dealing with such cases in a more organized way, bringing about positive and fruitful results.