Category Archives: cardiology

Heart health depends on the smooth flow of oxygen-rich blood through the coronary arteries. When these arteries become narrowed or blocked, the heart muscle receives less oxygen, which can lead to discomfort, reduced function, or even cardiac emergencies. Detecting such blockages early plays a key role in managing overall heart wellness.
As explained by the Best Cardiologist in Pune, coronary angiography remains one of the most reliable diagnostic techniques for assessing the condition of the heart’s blood vessels and identifying the severity of any narrowing.

What Is Coronary Angiography?

Coronary angiography is a diagnostic imaging procedure that uses contrast dye and X-rays to visualise the heart’s arteries. It helps determine whether blood flow is restricted due to plaque buildup or other abnormalities.
This procedure is often used when non-invasive tests such as electrocardiograms (ECG), echocardiograms, or stress tests suggest that there may be a problem with blood circulation in the coronary arteries.

During the test, a thin flexible tube known as a catheter is gently guided through a blood vessel, usually from the wrist or groin, toward the coronary arteries. A special dye that appears on X-rays is injected through the catheter, allowing doctors to see detailed images of the arteries and identify any blockages or narrowing.

Why Is Coronary Angiography Important?

The importance of coronary angiography lies in its accuracy and detailed visualisation of the coronary vessels. It helps medical professionals:

1. Identify Blockages:
   It reveals the exact location and extent of narrowing or blockage within the coronary arteries. 
2. Determine Severity:
   The results indicate whether the narrowing is mild, moderate, or severe, which is important for planning further medical evaluation. 
3. Assess Blood Flow:
   The test provides real-time images of how blood moves through the coronary arteries and helps detect any areas of reduced circulation. 
4. Guide Next Steps:
   Based on the findings, doctors can decide whether medication, lifestyle adjustments, or further procedures like angioplasty might be appropriate for managing heart function. 

   How Coronary Angiography Helps Detect Heart Blockages

   A coronary artery blockage occurs when fatty deposits (plaques) build up inside the arterial walls — a condition known as atherosclerosis. Over time, these plaques can narrow the arteries, restricting oxygen-rich blood from reaching the heart muscle.
   Coronary angiography plays a central role in identifying such blockages accurately. The images it produces help pinpoint:

   • The exact artery affected 
   • The degree of narrowing 
   • The pattern and nature of plaque buildup 
   • Any alternate blood flow routes formed by smaller vessels 

   By understanding these details, healthcare professionals can evaluate the impact of restricted circulation and ensure timely medical attention when required.

When Is Coronary Angiography Recommended?

Coronary angiography is typically considered when a person experiences persistent symptoms that suggest reduced blood flow to the heart. These symptoms may include:

• Chest pain or discomfort (angina) that worsens with exertion or stress 
• Shortness of breath during physical activity 
• Unusual fatigue or weakness 
• Pain spreading to the neck, jaw, or arm. 
• Abnormal ECG or stress test results 

It may also be performed after a heart attack to identify the artery responsible for the reduced blood supply and assess the overall condition of the heart’s circulation system.

 

How the Procedure Works

1. Preparation:
   Before the test, basic blood tests and imaging assessments are performed. The patient is usually awake but may receive mild sedation to stay relaxed. 
2. Catheter Insertion:
   A small area, usually near the wrist or groin, is cleaned and numbed. A thin catheter is inserted into the blood vessel and gently advanced toward the heart. 
3. Contrast Dye Injection:
   A special contrast dye is injected through the catheter, and X-ray images are taken in quick succession. 
4. Imaging and Observation:
   These X-rays, known as angiograms, show how the dye moves through the coronary arteries, highlighting any blockages or narrowing. 

Post-Procedure Monitoring:
After the angiography, patients are observed for a few hours while normal blood flow and vital signs are monitored. The small puncture site is bandaged, and light activity can usually resume within a short period.

 

Benefits of Coronary Angiography

Coronary angiography offers several diagnostic advantages, including:

• Detailed visualisation of coronary arteries 
• Accurate identification of narrowing or blockages 
• Assessment of the heart muscle blood supply 
• Guidance for further evaluation or lifestyle management 

Unlike other tests, it provides a clear and dynamic view of the heart’s circulation system, making it a key diagnostic tool in cardiac care.

 

Safety and Awareness

Coronary angiography is generally considered a safe and controlled procedure. However, as with any diagnostic test, it is performed only when necessary and under proper medical supervision.
The test offers valuable information that helps in evaluating the overall state of the heart’s arteries without relying solely on external symptoms or assumptions. At the Best Heart Clinic in Pune, emphasis is placed on understanding each individual’s heart condition before any major medical decisions are made.

Understanding the Findings

After angiography, the results are analysed to determine the degree of arterial narrowing. These findings help categorise blockages based on their percentage — for example, mild (less than 50%), moderate (50–70%), or severe (above 70%).
This information assists in understanding how much the heart’s blood flow is affected and whether further evaluation or preventive care is required.

It’s also important to remember that coronary angiography doesn’t automatically mean a person needs additional procedures. Many times, lifestyle adjustments, medication, and regular monitoring are recommended depending on the findings and the person’s overall health status.

 

Living with Awareness

Maintaining heart health goes beyond diagnostic tests. Lifestyle awareness remains a major part of prevention. Individuals can lower their risk of developing blockages by:

• Eating a diet high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains 
• Staying physically active according to their capacity 
• Avoiding tobacco and limiting alcohol consumption 
• Managing blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol levels 
• Reducing stress through mindfulness or relaxation techniques 

These steps, combined with timely medical assessments, can help maintain long-term cardiovascular health.

Recognising Subtle Symptoms Early

Heart disease does not always present with intense pain or dramatic symptoms. Some individuals experience only mild fatigue, discomfort in the upper body, or breathlessness during minor activity.
Understanding these subtle signals and discussing them with a healthcare professional can make a significant difference in preventing complications and ensuring early detection of blockages.

Conclusion

Coronary angiography remains a valuable diagnostic tool for evaluating heart health and detecting arterial blockages with precision. It helps visualise the heart’s blood vessels and supports informed medical decisions based on accurate data rather than assumptions.
The Best Cardiologist in Pune highlights the importance of timely diagnosis and awareness in maintaining heart wellness. Recognising symptoms early, following preventive habits, and undergoing appropriate diagnostic tests can help protect the heart’s long-term function and stability.

Congenital anomalies (Birth Defect) are the major causes of death in the new born within the initial four weeks of birth. Objective Congenital heart defects (CHDs) affect a large number of newborns with a high mortality rate. Majority of these cases are diagnosed between 0 – 5 years of age. Atrial septal defect being the most frequent defect observed in the newborn as well in adults. If an individual at any time observes any symptoms of atrial septal defects in a newborn he or she should on an urgent basis consider consult one of the best Paediatric Cardiologist.

A similar such case came forward in pune, when an 18 year young female, suffering with atrial septal defect having a 23 mm hole in the heart was admitted in the hospital for a heart condition. In her case the left sided oxygenated blood which is supplied to the body from heart was getting mixed with the right side de-oxygenated blood which flows back to the heart carrying impure blood. The usual symptoms of this diseases are shortness of breath, heart palpitation, skipped beats, fatigue or swelling of leg, feet and also abdomen. This condition increasing the burden on heart also causing dilatation of heart and extra blood to overfill the lungs. If this condition if not treated, can also result in enlarged and weakening of heart muscles and eventually leading in pulmonary hypertension is considered the best cardiologist in pune, is one such doctor who has successfully cured several patients with similar condition.

In this case there are two procedures available for successfully treating the condition i.e. conventional Method & Device Closure Method. In conventional method the patient is required to undergo an open heart surgery with opening of the chest wall. In this method a 25 to 30 stitches, ugly scar is formed post-surgery. This scar subconsciously causes depression amongst the patients and more specifically amongst young, unmarried female in such cases the scar become a social taboo in the society and many times it also results in marriage conflict which eventually results in signs of depression amongst the patients. Whereas with the device closure method the surgery can be performed without a single stitch over body and easy and fast recovery. It is very important decision as one needs to entrust and choose a doctor who has a successful track record like the best cardiologist in India.

In this case the patient underwent a successful device closure surgery without a single stich. The procedure was done expertly from right leg i.e. groin by dr. Rahul patil in the best heart clinic in pune.

Conventionally the open heart surgery patient stays in hospital for 8 days and with a recovery time of 2 -3 month. While in device closure surgery, patient needs to stay in hospital for only 2 days and can walk out of hospital fully functional after 5^th day.

It is best said in such cases that “Not every birth defect is associated with something we can do to prevent it. But those we can prevent, we should”.

According to The Hindu Business Line, Heart disease and stroke together contributed to 28·1% of total deaths in India in 2016 —compared with 15·2% in 1990. Heart disease contributed 17·8% of total deaths in India. The primary reason being lack of awareness and knowledge. Dr. Rahul Patil – one of the Best cardiologist in Pune, who is continuously thriving to create awareness amongst people for heart-related conditions.

The number of cases for heart attack has vastly increased in the past decade and so have the death rate relating to it. The unusual symptoms of heart attack are one of the main reasons for usually misleading patients for some other reason for their discomfort and not a heart problem, resulting in a delay for medical help, which is the usual reason for complications in patient’s outcomes. 

It increasing the risk factor because the more you delay visiting the doctor from the onset of pain more will be the damage caused to your heart. Resulting in more complications even with the best of treatment and health institute. So it is said time is the muscle of the heart. 

The usual symptoms of a heart attack are heaviness in the chest, pressure symptoms, shoulder pain and left arm pain associated with sweating. 30% of people may have severe acidity, nausea, and vomiting as a symptom of a heart attack. In Rarely cases people may have shoulder pain, back pain, choking sensation in neck or only jaw pain as a symptom of a heart attack. Thus leading to confusion in the patients for timely and proper diagnosis.

A similar case took place on 25th Feb 2020 a young female of 55 years was admitted to hospital for acute chest pain for the past six hours. On examining the ECG, Dr. Rahul Patil – best cardiologist in india, confirmed a heart attack in the right artery with 100% blockage with blood clots.

The patient was advised an urgent primary angioplasty. It is a special and complex form of angioplasty with a lot of clots in the heart that needed to be removed, only minuscule of people are trained and have the expertise in this procedure and Dr. Rahul Patil is one of them, one of the best cardiologists in pune.

Despite many complications, the procedure went successfully and in 12 hours the patient was happy and pain-free. A cardiologist is the only one, who is skilled enough to make it stop and restart altogether. But the problem does not end here itself. We all need to be aware of our health and start listening to what our body wants to convey by its small but crucial signs, let’s work towards it. One needs to cherish what he has.