Getting The Rhythms Of Your Heart Right

What inspired you to become a Cardiologist?

During my under-graduation back in the 1990s, I witnessed many landmark changes sweeping through the field of Cardiology. I saw many patients getting benefit from new percutaneous treatment options such as angioplasty, pacemakers, and electrophysiological ablation procedures. The possibility of this great combination of faculties is what inspired me to choose Interventional Cardiology as my area of specialisation in cardiology.

Who is a Cardiac Electrophysiologist?

Just like a heart has blood vessels on the surface , it also has electrical wires on the inside. These electrical wires are well insulated, but as one ages or due to some malfunction, may not be efficient. This can affect the electrical conduction in the heart, even create a short circuit, causing heart rhythm problems. Electrophysiology branched out as a niche specialisation which experts called Cardiac Electrophysiologists who understand, diagnose and treat many heart rhythm problems.

As a specialist in the placement of pacemakers, what do you do?

A pacemaker emits pulses which ensure that the heart rate remains safely within a pre-determined defined limit or range. Special pacemakers are also available known as cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT), that can improve the pumping function of the heart muscle through re- integration of the electrical circuits. Then there are also pacemakers known as implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD), which deliver an electric shock to the heart, restore normal rhythm and revive the patient.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest is becoming a daily news now-a-days. What are your views?

Lifestyle related diseases like smoking, diabetes, hypertension, obesity and stress are to be blamed for most of the cardiac arrests. Prompt recognition and response by the public, like starting a cardio – pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), or cardiac resuscitation (CR) only under certain circumstances, will increase the survival rate for people dying of a sudden cardiac arrest.

From the newest trends in medical technology in your field of cardiac electrophysiology, what do you see becoming really big in the future?

We are already in an era where we can offer complete cure to three-fourths of heart’s rhythm problems, by non-surgical means. The means of ablation is shifting from conventional heat energy (Radiofrequency) to cold energy (Cryo) and nonthermal (Pulsed Field) ablation. Pacing therapies are also revolutionising in form of Leadless (wireless) pacemakers and Conduction System Pacemakers (CSP). Also, emerging are the Extra-Vascular defibrillators (EV ICD), where we just place electrical wires beneath the skin and not get into the heart at all.

What would be your message on World Heart Day?

First of all, a person has to be physically active; a minimum of 30 minutes’ walk a day, so that her/ his body receives aerobic exercise which exercise the heart and lungs, along with rest of the body. A common symptom, like onset of breathlessness, could be a related either to the heart or the lungs. We, as specialists, are there to guide whether these body organs, separately or together, are causing the problems.

For Reaching Out To The Doctor

Kauvery Hospital Main, Alwarpet, Chennai Call 044 4000 6000

[email protected]/?www.drdcr.com

Disclaimer: The above is a sponsored post, the views expressed are those of the sponsor/author and do not represent the stand and views of Outlook Editorial.