我 35 岁时心脏病发作：生存、压力和新开始的旅程

My name is Bikram, and I am a heart attack survivor.

I never imagined that I would suffer a heart attack at the age of 35. Like many people, I thought heart disease was an illness that affected people in old age. At just 35 years old, the possibility of having a heart attack never crossed my mind. I was focused on building my career, supporting my family, and creating a secure future. A heart attack was the last thing I expected.

At the time, I was living and working in Nepal as an IT Officer at one of the country's leading commercial banks. I was heavily involved in a major bank merger project and had significant responsibility for leading and coordinating critical technology initiatives. The work was demanding, deadlines were constant, and work-life balance was almost nonexistent.

At the same time, my wife and I welcomed our newborn daughter. While trying to give my best at work, I was also caring for my growing family and thinking about their future. Looking back, the combination of long working hours, professional pressure, and family responsibilities created an enormous amount of stress.

The Warning Signs I Ignored

Looking back, there were warning signs that I did not recognize at the time.

For about two days before my heart attack, I noticed that I was becoming unusually short of breath and experiencing pain in my left arm. I regularly walked 4 to 5 kilometers every day, but suddenly I found myself struggling to complete my usual walks. Even light physical activity left me feeling breathless and uncomfortable.
I ignored these symptoms. I thought I was simply tired, stressed, or not getting enough rest. At no point did I consider that my heart could be the cause.

In 2023, My Life Changed Forever

On September 28, 2023, my life changed forever.

One day, I suddenly experienced severe chest pain unlike anything I had ever felt before. It felt as though my heart was being crushed in a tight grip. The pain was intense, frightening, and persistent.

Despite the severity of the symptoms, I never imagined that I could have a heart attack because I was only 35 years old. Like many young adults, I believed heart attacks happened to older people, not someone my age.

As the pain continued, I went to a nearby hospital. Unfortunately, due to a doctor’s strike and the unavailability of specialist physicians, only emergency services provided by a medical officer were available. The process of assessment, testing, and investigation took nearly two hours. During those critical moments, neither my family nor I fully understood how serious the situation was. Initially, I was treated for what was thought to be a gastric problem and was given medication through an intravenous (IV) line in my hand. At that point, no one suspected that I was experiencing a heart attack. As the pain continued and my condition failed to improve, it became clear that something far more serious was happening.

Fortunately, my uncle, who was a member of the Nepal Medical Council, became involved. After reviewing my symptoms and medical reports, he immediately contacted a cardiology specialist. The specialist quickly recognized that my condition could be a cardiac emergency and advised immediate intervention.

Only after that consultation was I given cardiac medication and oxygen—the first lifesaving steps in my treatment.

Realizing that every minute mattered, my uncle arranged an ambulance, and I was transferred to Manmohan Cardiothoracic Vascular and Transplant Center.
Once I arrived at the hospital, everything moved very quickly. Within approximately ten minutes, the cardiology team had begun further assessments and emergency treatment.

A Hidden Reality

What made the diagnosis even more shocking was what doctors found after my heart attack. Despite having suffered a major cardiac event, many of the common risk indicators appeared normal. My cholesterol levels were within the normal range, my blood pressure readings were generally controlled, and genetic testing did not reveal any significant hereditary factors that would have clearly predicted such severe heart disease.

I had never been a smoker and only drank alcohol occasionally. Because of this, I never considered myself at high risk for a heart attack. Like many people, I believed that heart disease primarily affected older adults or those with obvious risk factors.

One question that still remains in my mind is why this happened at such a young age. I had received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, but despite extensive medical testing after my heart attack, no clear explanation emerged. My cholesterol levels were normal, genetic testing did not reveal significant hereditary risk factors, I had never smoked, and I only consumed alcohol occasionally. This experience reminded me that heart disease can sometimes affect people who do not fit the typical risk profile.

This experience taught me that heart disease can sometimes develop silently, even when routine health markers appear normal and a person leads what seems to be a relatively healthy lifestyle. It reinforced the importance of listening to your body and never ignoring symptoms, regardless of your age.

The diagnosis was shocking.

I had suffered a major heart attack.

Further investigations revealed that I had triple-vessel coronary artery disease, meaning that three major arteries supplying blood to my heart had severe blockages. Emergency procedures were performed, including angioplasty and multiple stent placements, to restore blood flow and save my life.

What made the diagnosis even more shocking was that I had always believed my health was generally normal. As a relatively young adult, I never considered myself at high risk for heart disease. According to my medical assessments during the heart attack, there were no obvious warning signs that made me think I could face such a life-threatening cardiac event. This experience taught me that serious heart disease can sometimes remain hidden until a major event occurs.

Looking back, I often wonder what might have happened if my uncle had not recognized the urgency of the situation and acted so quickly. His intervention, along with the dedication and expertise of the cardiology team, played a crucial role in saving my life.

At just 35 years old, I became a heart attack survivor.

Life After the Heart Attack

Surviving the heart attack was only the beginning of my journey.

I was later diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and high blood pressure, requiring ongoing cardiac care, specialist follow-ups, daily medications, and significant lifestyle changes.

The recovery process was physically and emotionally challenging. It was difficult to accept that someone my age could experience such a life-threatening cardiac event. There were times when I worried about my future, my family, and whether I would ever feel normal again.

The experience completely changed my perspective on life. I learned that health can change in an instant and that no career, project, or deadline is more important than taking care of ourselves.

A New Beginning in Canada

In early 2025, I immigrated to Ontario, Canada, hoping for a fresh start and new opportunities.

Like many newcomers, I faced challenges finding employment in my professional field. Because of my heart condition, physically demanding jobs such as warehouse work were not suitable for me. The physical strain, prolonged standing, and demanding nature of the work made it difficult to manage my health.

Eventually, I obtained a position as a payroll administrator, which was outside my professional IT background. Although I was grateful for the opportunity, transitioning into a completely different field while continuing to manage my heart condition was not easy. Learning a new profession, adapting to unfamiliar responsibilities, and coping with workload pressures brought new challenges.

After surviving a heart attack, I became much more aware of the impact stress can have on both physical and mental health. Today, I make a conscious effort to maintain balance, follow medical advice, and prioritize my well-being.

What My Journey Has Taught Me

My experience taught me that heart disease does not only affect older adults. It can affect young professionals, parents, caregivers, and people who appear healthy from the outside.

Many heart survivors live with invisible challenges that others may never see.

Today, I continue to receive regular cardiac care and remain committed to protecting my health. I am deeply grateful to the doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals who helped save my life. I am equally grateful to my family for their support throughout my recovery and especially to my uncle, whose quick thinking and decisive action helped ensure that I received the urgent treatment I needed.

Surviving a heart attack at 35 changed my life forever, but it also taught me resilience, gratitude, and the importance of appreciating every single day.
If my story encourages even one person to take chest pain seriously, recognize the warning signs of heart disease, seek medical help without delay, or better manage stress in their lives, then sharing my story has been worthwhile.

To everyone living with heart disease or recovering from a heart attack: you are not alone. There is life after a heart attack, and there is always hope, strength, and purpose in the journey ahead. ❤️