Dubai expat had no idea he had heart failure and needed surgery

Rodante Herrera was told that he should have had his various heart-related conditions diagnosed 10 years earlier but he never went for a screening as it was not included in his health insurance policy.

Filipino expat Rodante Herrera, left, underwent triple-bypass heart surgery performed by Prof Dr Walid Shaker, a consultant in cardiac surgery at Burjeel Hospital. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National

DUBAI // When Rodante Herrera went to hospital complaining of backache, chest pain and breathing trouble, he had no idea that he was suffering from heart failure.

Five months ago the 49-year-old sought medical help and was shocked when he was told that he had diabetes, high cholesterol, three blocked arteries and needed bypass surgery.

“This was the first I heard of it. According to the doctors it should have been diagnosed at least 10 years earlier,” said the Filipino, a telecom field technician in Dubai.

“I have been in Dubai for almost 10 years but this is the first time there were any symptoms.”

Mr Herrera said he had not been screened for heart problems, even though his brother had cardiac disease. He regularly eats meat and food and drink with high sugar content.

“This was not included in insurance, so it got left behind.”

Mr Herrera, who has a 19-year-old daughter and a 15-year-old son, used to smoke but quit after the surgery. “My children were telling me to quit and now I quit completely.”

His family in the Philippines could not be in the UAE for his operation. “I’m alone here. I have a friend. I went to their house after the operation and they took good care of me.”

Post-surgery Mr Herrera took time off and went home for a couple of months. He is now on life-long medication and has to do hourly breathing exercises.