HEART TALK

HEART TALK

With over 35,000 heart surgeries, over 20 heart transplants and a famous and leading Doctor in Chennai has successfully put Chennai on the global heart care map. From performing the first successful coronary artery bypass surgery to the first infant cardiac surgery and the first heart-and-lung transplant, Doctor has several medical landmarks to his credit. He tells us about Chennai’s present position in cardiac care and the need for technological innovations in this discipline.

Chennai is touted as a growing medical hub. Where does the city stand in terms age groups. In the last decade, we have acquired the technical know-how to conduct both off-pump coronary heart surgery and pediatrics heart surgery.

It is popular knowledge that as Indians, we are inherently prone to heart diseases. What preventive steps should one take to address this?

Doctors and hospitals are coming forward through mass campaigns and outreach program's to create awareness about the risk factors with respect to coronary heart disease that include smoking, cholesterol, diet and lifestyle. More than cure of providing world-class infrastructure and technology in cardiac care?

Chennai is on par with any other developed country in terms of quality care and cutting edge treatment technology in cardiology. When I came to the city in 1975, I could sense it potential. Although medical tourism is fairly new diction in the field of medicine, it was a trend that was prevalent in the city during the 70s and 80s. We had patients coming all the way from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Africa even then. As for cardiac care, whether it is bypass surgery, infant surgery, heart transplant, laser surgery or heart-and-lung transplant, the city is filled with skilled doctors and world class technology to treat patients across all prevention is Clearly the focus area. Most cases of adult heart diseases are lifestyle related. While 30% of heart failures occur due to family history and genetic factors, 70% occur due to a sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy eating habits. India is set to become the cardiac capital of the world. The need of the hour, as we keep stressing, is to improve the quality of life. It should be started at the grass roots level by educating children on the need to control one’s diet, exercise, meditate and de-stress. The government should also take initiatives to develop rural areas, by bringing in technology, manpower and hospitals. We do not have any registry or statistics to track down the number of people suffering from heart diseases in the country every year. It is important that the systems and processes are put in place.

Rheumatic heart disease and congenital heart disease are becoming more common in the country. Are they controllable? What about treatment for the same?

Rheumatic heart disease is a condition whereby heart valves are damaged by a streptococcal infection, such as environment, hygiene and sanitation contribute to this disease; it mainly impacts people from the lower strata of the society. Although treatment us available, it is quite costly and therefore, cannot be afforded by the weaker sections of the society where it is more widespread. It can be controlled only by practicing personal hygiene and keeping the surrounding environment clean. As for congenital heart disease, which is a condition that someone is born with, it is widespread around the world and is not something that can be prevented. We have treatments available on par with the best in the world.

What is the future of heart care in the country?

Currently, the focus is on developing cutting-edge technology at the molecular level. Tissue engineering, genetic engineering and stem cells are thrust areas of medical research. While stem cells will help regenerate damaged hearts muscles, tissues will help create artificial valves for children. Genetic engineering, on the other hand, will detect defects in the heart in advance. In five years, the heart care system in the country will be completely revolutionized.

THE NEED OF THE HOUR, AS WE KEEP STRESSING, IS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE. IT SHOULD BE STARTED AT THE GRASSROOTS LEVEL BY EDUCATING CHILDREN ON THE NEED TO CONTROL ONE’S DIET, EXERCISE, MEDITATE AND DE – STRESS.