Atul Rao, an Indian American student studying in London, has made a life-changing decision to pursue a career in medicine thanks to the National Health Service (NHS) medics in the UK who saved his life after his heart stopped six times. Originally from Seattle and a student at Baylor University in Texas, Rao experienced a pulmonary embolism, a condition where blood clots in the lungs obstructed blood flow through his heart, leading to cardiac arrest.
He was promptly rushed to the heart attack center at London’s Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust Hammersmith Hospital. Scans revealed that blood clots in his lungs were causing the blockage. Rao, accompanied by his parents, recently visited the hospital in London to express his gratitude.
Rao shared his transformation during the visit, stating, “Before this happened, I was starting to wonder if I was doing the right thing doing medicine and whether I should be going into business instead. But the minute I woke up I knew. I want to use my time in a productive way. I want to use my second chance at life by helping others.”
Currently, in his final year of a pre-med degree, Rao intends to pursue further studies in medicine. On July 27, he was found collapsed by fellow students who promptly alerted security, and chest compressions (CPR) were initiated by an Imperial College London security guard until the arrival of the London Ambulance Service.
Nick Sillett, a paramedic with the ambulance service, reflected on the transformation: “The last time I saw Atul I didn’t think he was going to survive. To meet him again and speak with his parents after giving them such terrible news was a very special moment in my 18 years in this job.”
The medical team at Hammersmith Hospital worked tirelessly throughout the night to stabilize Atul, and he was transported to St. Thomas’ Hospital the following day as a precautionary measure. Clot-busting drugs had begun to take effect, and with the assistance of other life-support machines, he was able to recover without requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), a life-support system.
Dr. Louit Thakuria, a critical care consultant at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust’s Hammersmith Hospital, highlighted the collaborative effort: “This was a real team effort, and so many people helped ensure Atul was able to be here. It’s a privilege to be a part of that and hear that you have helped make such a positive impact.”
Atul’s father, Ajay, expressed his gratitude, stating, “Hammersmith and St Thomas’ hospitals have become places of worship for us. We will be coming here whenever we come to London. It was the heroic efforts of London Ambulance Service, the amazing medical teams of Hammersmith, St Thomas’, and Royal Brompton that saved him from this life-threatening series of events.”
His mother, Srividhya, a math professor in Seattle, added, “A really bad thing happened in a really good place. Everyone who worked around Atul wanted him to be well. It’s clear they love and care about what they do. I feel blessed to be here, and I’m so thankful and grateful to you for giving my son back to me. His life has changed, and it’s had a profound impact.”
