A young woman from the West Midlands has issued a stark warning after suffering a life-threatening heart attack at the age of 27, despite being fit and healthy.
Ignoring the Early Warning Signs
Neena Chauhan, from Solihull, initially dismissed weeks of chest pains, a common symptom of heart problems. As a regular gym-goer, she didn't believe she was at risk. This changed dramatically when she was struck by an intense, "crushing" pain in her chest at her home.
She described the sensation as feeling like "an elephant was sitting on me." The severe agony, coupled with profuse sweating, prompted her terrified family to call an ambulance immediately.
Emergency Lifesaving Treatment in Birmingham
Rushed to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, the then-27-year-old social media influencer required urgent intervention. Doctors performed a swift procedure to fit a stent, which opened her blocked artery and saved her life.
Medical staff later told Neena she "could have died" if the treatment had been delayed any longer, as the heart attack could have triggered a fatal cardiac arrest.
The Long Road to Mental and Physical Recovery
The traumatic event had a devastating impact on her mental wellbeing. Neena suffered with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) for two years following the heart attack.
Her turning point came when she saw photos of herself from a holiday and resolved to regain control. Her recovery involved a careful, slow return to the gym to rebuild her strength and identity.
Now aged 40, Neena is channeling her experience into advocacy. She is supporting the British Heart Foundation (BHF) to fund crucial research into cardiovascular diseases.
BHF researchers are currently investigating innovative tools, such as a simple finger prick test, that could help doctors identify people at risk of a heart attack before it strikes.
Neena's story is a powerful reminder that heart conditions can affect anyone, regardless of age or fitness level, and highlights the critical importance of seeking help for persistent symptoms like chest pain.
