Heart attack fails to dampen Mumbai's Prakash Amati's spirit to run in Mumbai Marathon

Prakash Amati, 55, suffered a heart attack on December 4 last year while he was practising for the Mumbai marathon.

A few days later, he was back on the jogging track and is all set to participate in the 21km-run. He underwent angioplasty after doctors found 100% block in his left artery. “I have been practising every morning for the marathon. That day, I was jogging my way back home when I got a sudden pain in the chest. Luckily, I rushed to hospital and got medical attention on time,” said Amati.
 
Amati is a marathon runner and a high-altitude trekker. He has been running the marathon for the past three years and has also trekked the high ranges of Himalayas six times in the past eight years.

Dr Rahul Gupta, cardiologist at Fortis Hospital, said: “His medical tests showed that he had coronary artery chronic total occlusion – a condition of complete blockage of the arteries for 30 or more days. In Amati’s case, his left coronary artery suffered 100% CTO (Chronic Total Occlusion) which was unbelievable as Amati has lived a healthy life since childhood and keeps himself fit.”

“Earlier, doctors suspected I had two blockages in my heart. Since I was practicing for the marathon, I ignored it,” said the Mulund resident.

Dr Gupta said since he has been exercising for a long period and has a healthy lifestyle, he could come to the hospital by himself. “We decided to conduct an angioplasty as Prakash had three blockages in his heart,” he added. Amati later underwent exercises and massage for six days. He is back to his routine life.