A 42-year-old Pakistani pilgrim miraculously survived five consecutive heart attacks during the Hajj pilgrimage this year, thanks to rapid, advanced medical interventions under some of the harshest conditions faced by travelers in Makkah.
While performing rites in the searing heat of Arafat, the pilgrim suffered multiple cardiac arrests and was rushed to East Arafat Hospital in a critically unstable state. Medical staff administered repeated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as his heart stopped on five separate occasions, ultimately stabilizing him enough for life-support measures and ventilator care.
Recognizing the need for specialized cardiac treatment, doctors placed the patient on an ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) machine to sustain his vital organs. He was then airlifted still on a ventilator to King Abdullah Medical City in Makkah for advanced cardiac care.
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Advanced Cardiac Interventions
Upon arrival at the cardiac intensive care unit, a multidisciplinary team undertook:
- Emergency Angioplasty: Opening of critically blocked coronary arteries to restore blood flow.
- Impella Implantation: Placement of a mechanical heart-assist pump to reduce cardiac workload and maintain circulation.
- Comprehensive Support: Treatment for secondary complications including acute heart failure and pneumonia.
Over several days of intensive monitoring, the pilgrim’s condition gradually improved. He was successfully weaned off both ECMO and ventilator support, regained full consciousness, and began breathing unassisted.
On June 17, doctors declared him stable enough to enter cardiac rehabilitation. His survival underscores not only the resilience of the human heart under duress but also the preparedness and capacity of Saudi Arabia’s Hajj medical infrastructure to manage life-threatening emergencies in extreme environments.
This extraordinary case highlights the critical importance of swift emergency response and the deployment of cutting-edge technologies particularly during mass gatherings like Hajj where pilgrims face intense heat and physical strain. It also serves as a powerful reminder of the value of international cooperation in ensuring the safety and well-being of all pilgrims.