CPR could have saved the Hyderabadi cricketer who dies on pitch in Saudi Arabia

On September 29, which marks World Heart Day, a 52-year-old NRI from Hyderabad, Mohammed Atif Khan, tragically passed away while playing cricket in Saudi Arabia. The incident occurred on a ground in Rakha, Al Khobar, where Atif Khan collapsed due to a sudden cardiac arrest.

Initially, during the match, he seemed perfectly fine, but he suddenly experienced severe chest pain and collapsed. His fellow players rushed to assist him. Atif Khan was promptly taken to a nearby polyclinic and later transferred to a hospital. Unfortunately, he did not survive as his oxygen levels dropped.

Dr. Abhijeet Vergees, a renowned physician in Al Khobar, emphasized the importance of timely CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) in such situations. Dr. Vergees explained that when a person's heart stops beating, every second is crucial. CPR provides critical chest compressions and rescue breaths that help maintain blood flow and oxygenation to vital organs, including the brain, until professional medical help arrives. The swift initiation of CPR significantly enhances the chances of survival.

Some community organizations have taken the initiative to offer basic CPR training. For example, in Qatar, the Indian Women Welfare Organisation (IWWO) conducted training sessions to impart CPR skills to the Indian community. Rajani Murthy, the president of IWWO, emphasized the importance of learning CPR.

Medical professionals have expressed concern about an "alarming" number of young patients in the Gulf region suffering from heart attacks and cardiovascular diseases. These conditions are being diagnosed about 10-15 years earlier in this region compared to other parts of the world. Health experts attribute this trend to poor lifestyle choices, including an unhealthy diet, smoking, lack of exercise, and insufficient sleep.

The World Heart Federation reports that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the Middle East and North Africa region, responsible for over one-third of all deaths, affecting approximately 1.4 million people annually.