Pacemaker, Heart Rhythm & Pediatric Cardiology

Dr Vanita Arora, Senior Consultant-Cardiac Electrophysiologist, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital defined heart failure as more of a syndrome complex as multiple factors are associated with heart failure.

Talking about coronary artery disease, she said the blockage in arteries leads to heart muscle death. Hence, in order to timely preserve the heart muscle, processes like angioplasty and surgery are preformed.

The heart function is measured by Echo test. Heart functioning at 55 to 60 per cent is considered normal whereas heart functioning below 35 per cent is more prone to result into heart failure, she added.  

"The various factors for heart failure can be coronary artery disease, relaxation abnormality, viral infection of the heart muscle etc. Breathlessness, fatigue, excessive sweating, decreased urine output, and excessive swelling are all symptoms of heart failure," she added.

The doctor underlined, "Lifestyle modifications as simple as keeping a watch on fluid intake, salt intake, increasing weight, putting a check on smoking and alcohol may prove beneficial in refraining from cardiac arrest." 

In the cardiac electrophysiologist's role, the right selection of device as well as the right selection of doctor implanting that device is very important.

Stating about her experience in the field, she stated that today doctors are performing procedures that did not seem possible a decade ago, thanks to advances in modern science and technology. She also mentioned that artificial intelligence has helped a lot in diagnostics and because of it, doctors are not only able to predict heart failure but also take preventive measures.

Talking about the merging cases of heart attacks in youth and children, the doctor said apart from ignorance and delay in treatment, genetics are also responsible for such incidents. She added that screening at the early age of 10 to 15 years and conducting genetic studies will help in curbing such cases. Moreover, antenatal care of the mother, especially in today's time when factors such as increased stress from lifestyle, occupation, and family life balance are very important for giving birth to a healthy child.

The doctor busted the myth that because of their hormones, women are protected from heart attack until menopause. However, she said, males are more prone to heart attacks than females. 

When asked about her struggle in a male-dominated cardiology sector, she acknowledged the struggle faced by her and mentioned that she had to work three times more in order to prove that she was as worthy as her male counterparts. However, she said that the person who supported her most, her professor M L Bhatia, was also a male. She added that, a person who has to move forward, will definitely move forward irrespective of the obstacles, instead he/she will make his/her own way.

Bhupendra Paintola

BW Reporters The author is Trainee Correspondent with BW Businessworld