Sandy first began experiencing concerning symptoms in 2019 when he had shortness of breath and fatigue. After undergoing tests, Sandy was told he had a leaking valve in his heart.
He had regular checkups but continued to experience symptoms, which got worse. He decided to seek advice and was recommended to visit Mr Inderpaul Birdi, Consultant Cardiac Surgeon from the Keyhole Heart Clinic and Cromwell Hospital, by a friend.
On a Thursday morning, Sandy sent over details of his condition and his medical records. The Keyhole Heart Clinic team followed up with a call and then arranged an online call with Mr Birdi for the Monday evening.
After discussing his history and symptoms, Mr Birdi advised that Sandy needed to get some additional tests done, and this could be done in Scotland or London. Sandy and his wife decided to visit London the week after to undergo the necessary tests and have a follow-up appointment with Mr Birdi.
After undergoing some initial tests, it was discovered that Sandy had a blockage in his heart. He had planned to go home after the tests, but Mr Birdi invited him to have an angiogram done the next morning as he was concerned about the results.
After the angiogram, Sandy was advised he had a life-threatening blockage of his heart. He was offered a choice – go home and speak to his family about the next steps or have an operation in the next few days.
Sandy chose to go through with the minimally invasive operation on Saturday morning at Cromwell Hospital. He spent two days in Intensive Care, was walking on Tuesday, and discharged on Wednesday, making his way home to Glasgow the same day.
Mr Birdi said: “Sandy came to see me with shortness of breath and despite extensive investigation his local doctors were unable to find the cause. After undergoing some initial tests, we discovered he had a serious heart artery blockage which needed immediate treatment. Fortunately, we were able to arrange an operation within a few days, and I performed an operation to remove the blockage. Because I was able to treat him with a minimally invasive technique, he was able to recover quickly and return home within five days. Since the operation, Sandy has made a good recovery.”
Sandy praised the team at Keyhole Heart Clinic and Cromwell Hospital, thanking them for their continuing support before, during, and after his operation.
“The staff have been phenomenal. It gave me a little hope that there are good people out there. They care so much, and they’re so dedicated to their jobs. They were all so helpful, and they just kept assuring you that everything would be fine. I think everybody went above what they had to do. They were just so caring and so understanding.”
Cromwell Hospital has a world-leading Heart and Lung Centre, which offers cardiothoracic surgery. We treat a broad spectrum of conditions affecting organs within the chest, including cancer, heart disease, valvular disease, pleural disease, and more.
With a distinguished team of cardiothoracic surgeons, we are one of few private hospitals in the UK to provide cardiothoracic surgery using minimally invasive (keyhole) techniques.
Mr Inderpaul Birdi, Consultant Cardiac Surgeon, is highly experienced in performing cardiac surgery, including heart valve repair and replacement, coronary artery surgery, and heart bypass surgery. He has a special interest in keyhole and minimally invasive surgery.
