Cardiology
Dr. Rasesh Pothiwala
Director - Cardiology
Sterling Hospitals, Gurukul, Ahmedabad
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Sterling Hospitals, Ahmedabad, is a multispeciality hospital with a dedicated cardiac care department for the diagnosis and treatment of heart conditions. The department provides diagnostic investigations, medical management, interventional procedures, cardiac surgery, emergency cardiac care and rehabilitation, with treatment planned according to each patient’s clinical needs.
Heart Conditions Treated at Sterling Hospitals, Ahmedabad
Heart conditions can affect the heart muscle, valves, rhythm or blood vessels, and symptoms vary widely in type and severity. At Sterling Hospitals, Ahmedabad, patients are evaluated and managed for a range of cardiac conditions, including:
Coronary Conditions
- Coronary Artery Disease: A condition in which the arteries supplying blood to the heart become narrowed or blocked, which may cause chest pain, breathlessness or a heart attack.
- Angina: Chest discomfort caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle, often brought on by physical effort or stress.
- Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction): A medical emergency in which blood flow to part of the heart muscle is suddenly blocked, causing damage to the affected area.
Heart Rhythm Disorders
- Atrial Fibrillation: An irregular and often rapid heart rhythm that originates in the upper chambers of the heart and may cause palpitations, breathlessness or tiredness.
- Bradycardia: A slower-than-normal heart rate that may cause dizziness, fatigue or fainting in some people.
- Tachycardia: A faster-than-normal heart rate that may cause palpitations, lightheadedness or breathlessness.
Heart Failure and Cardiomyopathy
- Heart Failure: A condition in which the heart is unable to pump blood as effectively as the body requires, which may cause breathlessness, swelling and tiredness.
- Cardiomyopathy: A group of diseases affecting the heart muscle that can change its size, thickness or ability to pump blood.
Heart Valve Disease
- Valve Stenosis: Narrowing of a heart valve that restricts the flow of blood through the heart.
- Valve Regurgitation: A condition in which a heart valve does not close fully, allowing blood to leak backwards.
Congenital Heart Conditions
- Congenital Heart Disease: Structural differences in the heart or its major blood vessels that are present from birth.
Blood Pressure and Vascular Conditions
- Hypertension: Persistently raised blood pressure, which can strain the heart and blood vessels over time.
- Peripheral Artery Disease: Narrowing of the arteries supplying the limbs, most often the legs, which may cause pain on walking.
- Pulmonary Hypertension: High blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs, which can place strain on the right side of the heart.
Inflammatory and Infective Heart Conditions
- Myocarditis: Inflammation of the heart muscle, which may be caused by infection or other conditions.
- Pericarditis: Inflammation of the membrane surrounding the heart, which commonly causes chest pain.
- Endocarditis: Infection of the inner lining of the heart or its valves.
Cardiac Diagnostic Services at Sterling Hospitals, Ahmedabad
Heart conditions can produce similar symptoms while having different causes, so the investigations needed depend on the suspected condition. At Sterling Hospitals, Ahmedabad, the following diagnostic services help clinicians assess the heart’s rhythm, structure, blood flow and function.
Heart Rhythm and Function Tests
- Electrocardiogram (ECG): Records the heart’s electrical activity and helps detect rhythm abnormalities and signs of reduced blood flow.
- Holter Monitoring: Records the heart’s rhythm continuously, usually over 24 to 48 hours, to detect irregularities that may not appear on a routine ECG.
- Treadmill Test (TMT): Records the heart’s response to controlled physical exertion and may help assess blood flow to the heart muscle.
Cardiac Imaging
- Echocardiography: Uses sound waves to produce images of the heart, helping assess its size, pumping function and valves.
- CT Coronary Angiography: Uses CT imaging with contrast to visualise the coronary arteries and identify narrowing or blockages.
- Cardiac MRI: Provides detailed images of the heart muscle and structures and may help evaluate selected heart conditions.
Invasive Diagnostic Procedures
- Coronary Angiography: A procedure in which contrast dye is introduced through a catheter to visualise the coronary arteries and identify narrowing or blockages.
Laboratory Investigations
- Blood Tests: Measure markers such as cardiac enzymes and cholesterol levels, which help evaluate heart muscle injury and cardiovascular risk factors.
Clinical Evaluation
- Cardiological Evaluation: A detailed review of symptoms, medical history, family history, blood pressure and medicines, which helps guide which tests are needed.
Cardiac Treatment Options at Sterling Hospitals, Ahmedabad
Treatment for heart conditions depends on the underlying cause, its severity and each patient’s overall health. Care may range from medicines and lifestyle guidance to procedures and surgery, with rehabilitation forming part of recovery for many patients.
Medical and Supportive Care
- Medical Management: Many heart conditions can be managed with medicines, regular monitoring and guidance on diet, physical activity and risk factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar. Treatment is tailored to the condition and may focus on controlling symptoms, reducing risk and preventing complications.
- Cardiac Rehabilitation: A structured programme that may include supervised exercise, education, nutritional guidance and counselling to support recovery after a heart attack, procedure or surgery.
Interventional Cardiology
- Angioplasty and Stenting: A procedure in which a catheter with a small balloon is used to widen a narrowed coronary artery. A stent, which is a small mesh tube, may be placed to help keep the artery open.
- Pacemaker and Device Implantation: Placement of a device that monitors the heart’s rhythm and delivers electrical impulses when needed. Some devices also treat dangerous rhythm disturbances.
- Electrophysiology Procedures: Procedures that study the heart’s electrical system and, where appropriate, treat certain rhythm disorders.
Cardiac Surgery
- Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: Surgery that uses a blood vessel taken from another part of the body to create a new route for blood to reach the heart muscle beyond a blocked artery.
- Heart Valve Surgery: Surgery to repair or replace a damaged heart valve so that blood can flow through the heart as intended.
Emergency Cardiac Care at Sterling Hospitals, Ahmedabad
Some heart conditions develop suddenly and need urgent medical assessment. Sterling Hospitals, Ahmedabad, provides emergency cardiac care for patients with heart-related symptoms who need urgent evaluation and treatment.
Symptoms That Need Urgent Medical Attention
- Chest pain, pressure or tightness, which may spread to the arm, jaw, neck or back
- Sudden breathlessness
- Sweating, nausea or lightheadedness along with chest discomfort
- Fainting or near-fainting
- Rapid, irregular or very slow heartbeat with dizziness or weakness
Symptoms can differ from person to person and may be milder in some, including older adults, women and people with diabetes. A person with these symptoms should be taken to an emergency department without delay and should not drive themselves.
What Emergency Cardiac Care Involves
Emergency care begins with a clinical assessment, which may include an ECG and blood tests to check for heart muscle injury. Depending on the findings, treatment may include medicines, procedures such as coronary angiography and angioplasty, and monitoring in the cardiac intensive care unit. The treating doctors decide the approach according to the patient’s condition.
Emergency Care and Follow-Up
After the emergency phase, patients may need ongoing medical management, cardiac rehabilitation and regular follow-up with the cardiology team to support recovery and reduce the risk of further cardiac events.
Our Cardiology Team at Sterling Hospitals, Ahmedabad
The cardiology department at Sterling Hospitals, Ahmedabad, includes cardiologists and other doctors involved in heart care. The list below gives the relevant details of each doctor.
Cardiology Doctors
Cardiology doctors across Sterling Hospitals
Cardiology
Dr. Varun Tiwari
Consultant - Interventional Cardiology
Sterling Hospitals, Gurukul
View ProfileHow to Book an Appointment at Sterling Hospitals?
Appointments at Sterling Hospitals, Ahmedabad, can be booked online through the hospital’s website or by calling +91-98989 87878.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should someone consult a cardiologist?
A person should consider consulting a cardiologist if they have chest discomfort, breathlessness, palpitations, unexplained fainting or dizziness, or swelling in the legs. People with risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, raised cholesterol, smoking or a family history of heart disease may also be advised to have their heart health reviewed regularly. A cardiologist can evaluate the symptoms and recommend appropriate tests or treatment.
What are the warning signs of a heart attack?
Common signs include chest pain or pressure that may spread to the arm, jaw, neck or back, along with breathlessness, sweating, nausea or lightheadedness. Symptoms can differ between people and may be milder in some. Sudden chest pain or any of these signs requires urgent medical attention, and the person should be taken to an emergency department without delay.
What is the difference between a cardiologist and a cardiac surgeon?
A cardiologist specialises in the diagnosis and medical management of heart conditions and may also perform interventional procedures such as angiography and angioplasty. A cardiac surgeon is a surgical specialist who operates on the heart and major blood vessels, for example in bypass or valve surgery. Depending on the condition, patients may be cared for by either specialist or by both.
Which tests are used to evaluate heart conditions?
The tests depend on the symptoms and the suspected condition. Common investigations include an ECG, echocardiography, a treadmill test, Holter monitoring, blood tests, CT coronary angiography and coronary angiography. A doctor chooses the tests based on the individual’s symptoms, medical history and clinical assessment.
What is angioplasty, and when is it recommended?
Angioplasty is a procedure in which a narrowed coronary artery is widened using a catheter with a small balloon, and a stent may be placed to keep the artery open. It may be recommended when a coronary artery is significantly narrowed or blocked, including during a heart attack. Like any procedure, it carries risks, which the doctor explains before it is carried out, and it is not suitable for every patient.
Can heart conditions be managed without surgery?
Yes, in many cases. Medicines, lifestyle changes, regular monitoring and, where appropriate, procedures such as angioplasty can help manage many heart conditions. Surgery is considered when other approaches are not appropriate or do not provide adequate control. The decision depends on the condition, its severity and the individual’s overall health.
What is the difference between angioplasty and bypass surgery?
Angioplasty widens a narrowed artery from within using a catheter, while bypass surgery creates a new route for blood to reach the heart muscle by using a blood vessel from elsewhere in the body. The choice depends on factors such as the number and location of blockages, the heart’s pumping function and the person’s other medical conditions, and it is made by the treating doctors after assessment.
Does Sterling Hospitals, Ahmedabad, have a cardiac catheterisation laboratory?
Yes. Sterling Hospitals, Ahmedabad, has a cath lab that supports diagnostic angiography and interventional procedures such as angioplasty.
Does Sterling Hospitals, Ahmedabad, provide emergency cardiac care?
Yes. Sterling Hospitals, Ahmedabad, provides emergency services for patients who need urgent assessment of heart-related symptoms.
Does Sterling Hospitals, Ahmedabad, offer cardiac rehabilitation?
Yes. Cardiac rehabilitation is offered at Sterling Hospitals, Ahmedabad, to support recovery after a cardiac event, procedure or surgery. The programme is tailored to the patient’s condition and needs.
