How my DAD beat ANGIOPLASTY!

In modern times, heart issues, cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid, stress etc seem to have become our best buddies. Two of them – Angioplasty and Cholesterol came to meet my father too. This is a blog about how my dad beat angioplasty! He did this by a drastic change in lifestyle and following our traditional Indian sciences!

INTERESTED? Read on!

A few months back, my dad complained of pain behind shoulder – the scapular region. We went to our family physician – Dr. Suvid who did ECG and advised a few medicines and followup after a month. Within a few days dad started feeling uncomfortable in his walks, which wasn’t normal. We went back to Dr. Suvid who recommended stress test and 2D echo at a cardiologist.

The result showed some concerns, but nothing major. The cardiologist prescribed some medicines and asked to meet after a month. The pain didn’t reduce and hence we went back to Dr. Suvid. He immediately asked us to go for Angiography, which will exactly tell us what is happening inside.

We never question what Dr. Suvid says and got an angiography done with the same cardiologist. It showed blockages on both side. The dormant side had more blockages and the active had lesser. Again Dr. Suvid told us that it is nothing to worry, but we will eventually have to get the angioplasty done and put three stents. He further ensured us that it was a very simple process and hardly any complications.

This is normal, isn’t it? But this is where the fun begins! A few days after angiography, dad took us by surprise. He told us – “I am not going to get this angioplasty done. Let us look at what all possibilities exist. At any point if I ever feel even a slightest of pain, I will get angioplasty done. But until then, I don’t want anyone to force me.”

As a family, none of us wanted him to go through angioplasty. But then we felt he had no choice and he had to eventually do it. But few things happened and it changed our whole perspective –

• One of my cousin – Sejal has just become a physiotherapist. We had been calling her much before these test for getting dad’s fitness and diet right since he used to complain of gas pretty frequently. After angiography she explained how the heart functions and what all alternative ways are there
• One of dad’s brother-in-law came and explained a traditional science of how diet can help thin your blood, reduce cholesterol and hence do away with the process of angiography. He mentioned about B V Chauhan who has some amazing diet plans, which can be easily done at home and are highly effective
• My mother-in-law called to ask for his health. During the conversation she realised that dad didn’t want to do angioplasty. She mentioned about one of her relative who had 99% blockage, but never got angiography or angioplasty done. He even had BP and diabetes. One  Dr. Ramesh Kapadia, who is a senior cardiologist, treated him only with medicines. This call made us confident that there were ways other than angiography to treat heart blockages

These three people and incidents made my dad more confident about this strategy. We went to the Dr. Suvid and asked if he could try his therapies. He was more than okay to allow him, but cautioned that any pain and my dad must come to Dr. Suvid immediately.

From next day onwards, there was a drastic shift in dad’s routine – He starts his day with Doodhi/ Lauki (Bottle Gourd) juice with mint leaves and tulsi; does basic yoga stretches, then walks for about 45-60 minutes; has half cup of tea after his workout. After having quality time with his grandchildren, he has fruits for breakfast. For lunch he has plate full of salad and one jowar bhakri with veggies made at home. In the evening he again walks for 30-45 minutes. For dinner again he has a plate full of salad and one chapatti with the vegetables cooked.

Maybe it will sound more dramatic if you know his earlier diet – Yoga in the morning, followed by tea with some toast and khari. Breakfast would be heavy – poha, upma, dhokla or paratha with glass full milk. For lunch he would have two chapatis with veggies and little rice if made. Dinner would again be two chapatis with veggies and little rice. The number of tea in the day depended on how many people visited him.

My wife Arpita had been telling him for years now to reduce his diet/ carbs for a healthy body. But he would make fun of her and ignore her. But when angiography happened and his cholesterol came high, he changed everything within a day. It was a decision that was taken with immediate resolve.

It has been about three months since we did his angiography. I am thrilled to tell you that he has been religiously following this new diet plan since then. He is gradually increasing his walking time and doing more asanas after consulting his yoga sir and Dr. Suvid.

Dr. Suvid had told my sister Juhi separately that dad would eventually have to do angioplasty. We should not demean his excited for new diet, but it might not give us significant results.

Dr. Suvid had asked us to come back about 45 days after changing his routine. He told us to do the cholesterol report/ Lipid tests.

We went to see Dr. Suvid with his updated cholesterol reports. He was blown away! In about 45 days, dad’s cholesterol levels had dropped by about 50%! He couldn’t believe his eyes and was awestruck. He was speechless for a few seconds. Finally, he said that I never believed that someone could be so consistent and dedicated and get these kinds of results. He said that dad was a case study for him.

Dr. Suvid mentioned something beautiful when we went and showed him dad’s reports. He said that lot of people need motivation, goals and targets to reach a point. But people like your dad just need a resolve. Once they have decided, there is no stopping them! Infact no one needs to remind them. They are highly self-motivated!

Dr. Suvid has reduced the dosage of his medicines and has asked him to continue what he is doing. Dad continues his new routine and loves it. He has already lost weight and a few inches. His old clothes have started fitting him well.

He has now gone the next step. In his friend circle and relatives, there are enough people who have BP, cholesterol etc. He has started counseling them and pushing them to adopt healthy lifestyle like he did. My dad has also compiled a summary of the right diet and is sharing it with those who wish to have a better health.

If his story is not an inspiration enough for us about – self-motivation and dedication to achieve something, I think nothing else will. To achieve something, when most people around you are telling that it is not going to work is probably the toughest thing to do. It is easier to just get the angioplasty done and then do everything else. But he believed otherwise. He believed in what he wanted to believe and he has proved it!

If there is something you wish to achieve – for your health, in your career, in a relationship or as a parent, all you need is a steely resolve, dedication and consistency! No dramatic results are possible without any dramatic steps! The irony is that we take small steps and expect great results.

Thank You dad for teaching all of us a valuable lesson!

P.S. – If you want to know more about his diet and wish to talk to him, please call me or email us on – getintouch.tpd@gmail.com

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