Imagine being thousands of feet above the ground in a packed plane when an unexpected medical emergency occurs. This was the reality for passengers on a Kolkata-to-Delhi trip on December 6th, when a 45-year-old lady from Bikaner experienced a life-threatening hypertensive heart failure in the air. 

The traveller, who was traveling alone, felt a slight discomfort that quickly progressed to severe shortness of breath, chest pain, and a choking sensation.  Her situation worsened as her blood pressure rose dangerously to 240/120 mmHg. Passengers and crew became alarmed as they noticed her pale and strained appearance. 

In the midst of the chaos, Dr. Smita Moitra, consultant and in charge of the emergency department at Manipal Hospitals, Broadway, stepped up to take charge. She took prompt action after diagnosing hypertensive heart failure, which can cause cardiac arrest or respiratory collapse. 

"With limited supplies on board, I had to make quick and effective decisions," Dr. Moitra explained. She administered Lasix to manage fluid overload, sublingual nitroglycerin for chest pain, and Ecosprin for cardiac stress while also ensuring the passenger had oxygen for breathing assistance. Her quick actions stabilized the patient enough for the pilot to divert the flight to Ranchi, where medical professionals were waiting. 

"It was an extremely tight situation, and every second felt vital." The risk of cardiac arrest or respiratory failure was very real," explained Dr. Moitra. "I'm grateful that my training and experience allowed me to act quickly and save her life." 

The person received additional treatment at a nearby hospital after landing. Later updates confirmed her recovery and return to regular life, owing to prompt medical attention. 

This incident underlines the fragility of life and the importance of having experienced specialists ready to intervene in crisis situations. This incident also underscores the importance of having adequate medical supplies available on flights to effectively manage emergency situations.

Dr. Moitra's actions underscore the crucial role of healthcare professionals, particularly in unforeseen circumstances, highlighting how their competence and compassion can make a crucial difference between life and death.