Heart Disease By Birth Tips

If a child is suffering from a congenital heart defect, it means that the child is born with a heart defect. Some of the heart problems are simple and don’t need treatment, while some are very complex and may need multiple surgeries depending on the prevailing heart condition.

Symptoms of Heart Defects-

The symptoms in children with serious heart defects depend on the type of congenital heart disease. Symptoms that a child can show are:

• Breathing problem while feeding the baby

• Frequent cough and cold

• Poor weight gain/weight loss

• Sweating over forehead during feeding

• Pale grey or bluish skin especially on crying

• Swelling in some areas like legs etc. in heart failure like situations

To mention a few the symptoms in children with less serious heart defects are not identified until childhood as in some cases, the child might not have the symptoms shown so early.

• Feeling short of breath during an activity

• Tiredness

• Faintness

• Swelling in some body parts

Causes of Heart Defects-

The heart of the foetus begins to take shape during the first six weeks of pregnancy. The heart also starts beating. During this time, the major blood vessels of the heart that carry blood back and forth also start developing.

At this point, the problem starts to occur and defects start developing in the heart of the child. Still, the doctors are not sure about the cause of the defects, but they believe its genetic.

Types of Heart Defects-

Some of the common heart defects include:

1. Holes in the Heart (ASD/VSD/PDA/AVSD)-

• Holes can be formed between the chambers or major blood vessels.

• Holes allow rich oxygen blood to mix up with poor oxygen blood.
 

2. Cyanotic heart diseases (TOF, TGA, Ebstein’s, etc)-

• In these heart diseases, child generally has bluish-blackish discoloration of fingers or lips
 

3. Obstructed Blood Flow (AS/PS/COA)-

• In this type of problem, the heart valves/heart vessels are narrow because of the defect; this causes the heart to pump harder.

• This can lead to enlargement of the heart. How to diagnose child heart diseases?

• Even in pregnancy, these heart diseases can be easily diagnosed by doing “Fetal Echocardiogram”. This test is like a routing ultrasound but focuses only on the fetal heart in detail. Fetal echo is generally done between 18-24 weeks but can be done in late pregnancy as well.

• After birth of the child, we need to do “Pediatric Echocardiogram” (just like an ultrasound). This is a non-invasive test with no pain to the child.

• By doing an echocardiogram, we can diagnose almost every child heart diseases.

• Sometimes, Cardiac cath study or CT angio of heart needs to be done for confirming the diagnosis.

Treatment-

1. Some heart defects do not need any treatment as they get cured itself within a span of time.

2. However, some are serious which need to be taken care of

3. Treatment can be done either by medicines or by doing angiographic procedure or by doing open heart surgeries

4. Now a day, majority of child heart diseases like ASD, VSD, PDA, Aortic or pulmonary stenosis or coarctation of aorta, excess fluid collection around heart can be managed in cath lab by doing angiography.

5. Other cardiac diseases like large VSD/PDA/ASD, TOF, TGA, Truncus, HLHS/Tricuspid Atresia needs open heart surgery.

6. Pediatric cardiac surgery or cath lab procedures are very safe now a day.

Precautions-

As the reason is still unknown for the defects in the heart, it is not possible to prevent these conditions. But there are some ways that can reduce the overall risk that builds heart disease. Some of them are:

• Get a Rubella Vaccine: A rubella infection at the time of the pregnancy can affect the child’s heart development. Women should get the vaccination before they try to conceive.

• Control Chronic Medical Conditions: If someone is suffering from diabetes, regular check-up of the blood sugar may reduce heart defects. If a person is suffering from any other disease, consult it with the doctor.

• Take Multivitamin with Folic Acid

Ever wondered why you needed to share your family’s health history at a doctor’s clinic? Specific questions regarding health issues of your immediate family or close blood relatives give your doctor an insight into various health risks you might have now or in future. Those are medical conditions inherited by parents or grandparents through genes. Genes are passed from parents to children in DNA of eggs or sperms. Even a single mutation (fault) in gene can influence body systems and may lead to disorders. If any of the parents have a faulty gene, there are 50:50 chances of the child inheriting it.

Hereditary heart diseases are also a result of mutation in one or more genes and tend to run in families. Genes control almost all aspects of cardiovascular system including strengthening blood vessels, pumping capacity or communication of cells in the heart. A single genetic variation is enough to alter cardiovascular processes increasing the risk of developing a heart disease, attack or a stroke. Some of the most common hereditary cardiac disorders include; Arrhythmias, congenital heart diseases and cardiomyopathy. A family history of heart attack or stroke is also an established high-risk factor for the family members. High blood cholesterol, medically known as familial hypercholesterolemia also tends to run in families.

Unfortunately, many of these conditions cannot be prevented since they are acquired through genes. But there are many ways in which these could be managed before they become complicated or fatal.

Let’s look at some ways by which we can deal with hereditary heart diseases and increase a patient’s chances of survival:

1. Early Diagnosis And Treatment: When one person in the family is diagnosed with a heart disease, it is strongly advisable for other family members to go in for screening. An early diagnosis can help in better treatment and management of the disease and impacts positively on patients’ life. Medical screening of siblings is highly recommended in case a person suffers a sudden cardiac death especially at a young age.

2. Watch out for these symptoms at a young age: Abnormal heart rhythm, asthma that does not get better with inhaler, seizures that do not improve with medication, extreme fatigue or shortness of breath are warning signals and need immediate medical attention.

3. Genetic Testing: Family members may opt for genetic testing to check if they carried genes of an inherited disorder.

4. Genetic Counselling: Genetic counselling deals with problems like anxieties and fear of attacks, confusion over disease and emotional difficulties in accepting the situation.

We may not be able to change the family history but we can surely change our environment, lifestyle and habits. Eating healthy and following an active lifestyle does help in prevention and management of such diseases.

VSD (a hole in the heart) refers to a congenital heart disease where a hole is formed in the ventricle septum i.e. wall between two lower chambers of the heart. As a result of this, blood from the left portion of the heart (left ventricle) crosses this hole and goes to right-sided heart that results in blood overflow to lungs.
VSD is one of the commonest child heart diseases that is seen at birth, but adults too may suffer from it following an acute heart attack.

What are the causes for Ventricular Septal Defect?
Congenital VSD occurs during heart development of the fetus. The heart develops from a huge tube, dividing into sections that, in turn, will become the chambers, walls and vessels of the heart. If something goes wrong during this process, a hole can develop in the ventricular septum.
Sometimes, VSD may be caused due to genetic and environmental factors. For instance, if you have a family history of genetic conditions like Down syndrome or congenital heart diseases, then your child may be at risk of developing a Ventricular Septal Defect.

Symptoms Indicating VSD-
The signs and symptoms of Ventricular Septal Defect vary depending on the size of the VSD. If the hole is small, child may be asymptotic. Children or young adults with small VSD only show signs of a heart murmur that is detected by their family physician.
A medium or large sized hole is likely to exhibit the following noticeable symptoms in children –

• Rapid breathing/Breathlessness
• Poor weight gain/ Failure to thrive
• Poor feeding
• Tiredness and fatigue
• Excessive sweating
• Inability to engage in physical activities
• An enlarged heart
• A tint of blue on the lips, fingernails, and skin in late stages of large VSD

These symptoms indicate that the VSD will most likely not close by itself, and therefore, require urgent intervention. If left untreated, Ventricular Septal Defect may lead to further complications such as pulmonary hypertension, endocarditis, or Eisenmenger like situation.

How is VSD diagnosed?
Usually, VSD is detected within the first few weeks after the birth of the child during a routine check-up. The doctor can tell if your child has a hole in the heart by hearing a heart murmur, as oxygen-rich blood passes between the two ventricles.

Suspecting VSD, your doctor may refer you to a paediatric cardiologist, who will then perform a physical examination on your child, taking his/her medical history in consideration. The following tools are used to confirm the diagnosis –

• An X-ray of the chest
• An electrocardiogram or ECG
• Most importantly by doing a pediatric echocardiogram (ECHO): this is done from the child's chest, a non-invasive modality with no pain to the child

What is the treatment?
Treatment of VSD depends on the size of the hole, and the age and weight of the child.

A small VSD with no significant symptoms mostly will require only follow-up. The child can do his/her activities without much fear.

Moderately sized VSD children are having poor weight gain and show signs of heart failure but less as compared to large VSD. These VSD needs to be followed up to 9-12 months of age and needs to close. The method of closure of moderate sized VSD depends on its location and size of VSD. Majority of moderate sized VSD can be closed by using a device in cath lab angiographically (VSD device closure non-surgically) or else by doing open heart surgery.

In a case of large VSD: Child shows signs of heart failure or in respiratory distress then first medical therapy in the form of diuretics are prescribed for decreasing the signs of heart failure. Then VSD surgical closure is advised preferably between 3-6 months of age.
 

Heart Surgery – This involves making an incision in the chest wall and maintaining circulation with the help of a lung-heart machine while closing the hole. The surgeon may either seam the hole or stitch a patch of material over it. The heart tissue will eventually heal over the stitches or patches. In about six months, the tissue will cover the hole completely.
Another treatment option is cardiac catheterization.

Cardiac Catheterization (Non-surgical closure of VSD)– The cardiologist inserts a catheter into the blood vessel in child legs that reach up to the heart. He/she then guides the tube to make measurements of blood pressure, blood flow, and level of oxygen in the chambers of the heart. A special implant known as a device is placed into the septal hole (VSD). The device flattens against the septum on both the sides to permanently heal and close the VSD.

Having your child diagnosed with a heart defect can be scary. However, consulting a paediatric cardiologist at the earliest can be helpful, as he will be familiar with Ventricular Septal Defect, and can tell you the best way to manage the condition.

While you may be worried about being affected with coronary diseases just because your forefathers suffered from it, there are various factors that are absolutely in your sole control. With a little change in lifestyle and following a well-regulated routine, you can easily keep your hereditary cardiac diseases at bay.

1. Take a Healthy Diet Regularly: Increase the amount of green leafy vegetables and colourful fruits in your regular diet as they are rich in phytonutrients and other anti-oxidants, vitamins, fibres, minerals as well as anti-inflammatory molecules that would increase your immunity.
2. Regulate Your Blood-Sugar Level: Studies show that blood sugar is a great contributor to cardiac diseases. So try to replace your high-carb diet with loads of fibre, protein and healthy fats to keep your blood-sugar level in control.
3. Increase the Intake of Fibre: Try to increase the amount of fibre in your food chart by having lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts and soya so that it amounts up to at least 50 grams a day. You may even include fibre supplements in your diet.
4. Stay Away From Processed and Junk Food: We know you are crazy about fast food, but you must also include sodas, processed jams, fruit juices and soft drinks as well, which are the greatest contributors to diabetes and in turn lead to heart diseases.
5. Increase the Intake of Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Try to include cold-water fish like sardine, salmon and herring along with flax seeds and sea weeds. This 'good' fat would keep your cholesterol level in check and lower down the amount of malicious LDL levels and transform them into harmless LDL particles.
6. Get Rid of all Hydrogenated Food: This implies that you should abstain from having cookies, margarine, baked stuff and crackers. Don't be fooled by the label saying, "no trans-fat" and instead look for healthy coconut, olive or sesame oil.
7. Abstain from Consuming Alcohol: Alcohol can do no good to any organ of your body. Instead, it triggers the amount of triglycerides, causes fatty liver and creates sugar imbalance in your body. By reducing alcohol consumption you can reduce inflammation, which causes various chronic diseases.
8. Have good quality supplements: Along with having a healthy diet and workout, you must try to take in multivitamin and mineral supplements regularly to keep fit and active all around the year.
9. Exercise Regularly: Researches report that a minimum of half an hour's exercise is required by our body regularly. After all, the heart is a muscle, and you must work out regularly to keep it healthy for a longer span.
10. Manage your Stress Levels: Stress alone can lead to a fatal heart attack without prior signal. Take the time out to indulge in yoga, meditation, tai chi or anything that would keep your stress levels under control and help you to lead a happier, healthier life.

These 10 easy ways will help you to prevent cardiac diseases; but you must consult a responsive cardiologist at the earliest.

While every parent wants their children to be born healthy, some infants have a range of disorders present at the time of birth. Patent Ductus Arteriosus or PDA is one such condition that manifests in children when they are born.

Here is all you need to know about Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA).

What is PDA?

PDA is the opening between the two major blood vessels leaving from the human heart. The ductus arteriosus is an essential part of a child’s circulatory system before birth. This vessel closes a few days post the birth of the child, as the same functionality is now performed by the infant’s lungs.However, if the ductus arteriosus stays open after birth, it is called a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).

When does patent ductus arteriosus require treatment?

In most cases, the PDA remains small enough not to cause any complications. However, if this vessel becomes too big, it can cause excess blood flow into both lungs and if not treated in proper time then poorly oxygenated blood can flow from lungs to the body and cause bluish-black discolouration of lips and fingers. Excess blood flow to the lungs leads to frequent cough and cold, respiratory distress, weight loss or poor weight gain etc.

Symptoms of PDA-

The symptoms of the condition may vary based on the size of the defect.

• In the case of larger PDA, here are some common symptoms.
• Frequent cough and cold
• Hospital admissions for pneumonia
• Your child will sweat when he/she cries or eats
• Your baby will tired easily
• Your baby’s heart rate will be elevated
• Your baby will experience breathlessness

If you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above, visit the doctor immediately. Quick diagnosis will eventually help in the treatment of PDA.

Causes of PDA-

Doctors have yet to pinpoint the exact reason why some children are born with congenital heart diseases, such as PDA. However, some doctors believe that genetic factors may play a role in causing PDA in a child. Infection of mother during pregnancy by Rubella virus can leads to PDA in the child.

Treatments for PDA-

Doctors have to account age and weight of the child while treating PDA.

Here are some options open to you if your child suffers from PDA.

PRETERM PDA-

Patience- If PDA affects your premature baby; the doctor will wait and watch whether the PDA closes on its own.

Medications- In case of a premature child with PDA, doctors also prescribe certain non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like brufen etc to aid in closing the PDA if non-pharmacological measures alone not sufficient to close the PDA.

Preterm PDA device closure or PDA ligation: If preterm baby is not responding to conservative or drug therapy and dependent on oxygen or any respiratory support or in heart failure, then PDA should be closed. In preterm babies; either surgery or now a day, device closure technique can also be done in cath lab (without surgery) known as PDA device closure.

PDA in fully matured babies-

Drug treatment is not effective in closing the PDA in fully matured babies. When baby showed signs of heart failure or in respiratory distress then medical therapy in the form of diuretics are prescribed for decreasing the signs of heart failure.

• If PDA is large in size then surgical ligation needs to be done between 3-6 months of age.
• If PDA is small in size (child is asymptomatic in small PDA): needs to be closed between 12-18 months of age by non-surgical method in the form of PDA device closure in cath lab by angiography.
• Moderate sized PDA children are having poor weight gain and show signs of heart failure but less as compared to large PDA. These PDA needs to be followed up to 9-12 months of age and needs to closed preferably by device technique (non-surgical) depending on size of PDA and weight of the child.

Speak to the doctor regarding the type of treatment your child would need. A quick response is crucial and will save your child’s life.

Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is a commonest congenital cyanotic heart disease.
TOF is having a combination of large VSD with severe obstruction of blood flow to the lungs that result in bluish-black discoloration of lips and fingers due to flow of oxygen-deficit blood to the body parts.
The four defects that commonly associated with Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) are –

• Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) – a hole formed in ventricular septum that is situated between two lower chambers of heart known as ventricles
• Pulmonary stenosis – refers to a narrowing of the pulmonary valves and the region below or above it that blocks the flow of blood to the pulmonary artery/lungs from the right-sided ventricle
• Overriding Aorta – the aortic valve becomes enlarged and appears to arise from both the ventricles instead of just the left ventricle
• Right Ventricular Hypertrophy – the walls of the right ventricle becomes thick and hardened as a result of pumping of blood at a high pressure

In few cases, a child with TOF may also suffer from additional defects such as ASD (Atrial Septal Defect), additional VSDs, or abnormalities in the coronary arteries, etc.

What are the symptoms/signs due to TOF?
Symptoms due to TOF depend on how severely there is an obstruction of blood flow to the lungs. The most common sign in children with TOF is cyanosis – a tint of purple or blue on the lips, skin, and fingernails.
Other symptoms/signs to look out for include –

• Irritability
• Clubbing of toes and fingers
• Poor weight gain
• Prolonged crying
• Loss of consciousness in severe cases
• A heart murmur
• Cyanotic spells – the colour of the skin may appear deep blue suddenly after feeding or crying, can be associated with rapid breathing/breathlessness, etc.

Complications of TOF-
If the symptoms go unnoticed and the condition is left untreated, your child may develop the following complications –

• Cyanosis that deteriorates over time
• Tet spells where the level of oxygen in the blood drops drastically
• Dizziness and seizures/loss of consciousness
• Endocarditis – an infection of the lining of your heart
• Irregular heartbeat or arrhythmia

It is essential that you seek immediate treatment for your child. A Paediatric Cardiologist is ideally the person you should refer to.
 

Diagnosis of TOF-
TOF can be easily diagnosed by doing “Fetal Echocardiogram”. Fetal Echo needs to be done between 18-24 weeks of gestation preferably between 18-20 weeks of gestation.
“Pediatric Echocardiogram” is essential for making the diagnosis. An echocardiogram is a non-invasive test that needs to be done form chest of the child.

Other tests that can be supportive in making the diagnosis are ECG, chest X-ray.
Sometimes CT angio of heart needs to be done for defining the structure of heart when echocardiogram is inconclusive. Occasionally especially in older children or adolescents, Cardiac cath angiography has to be done when CT angio is less desirable.

Treatment for Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF)
Surgery is the definitive treatment option for managing TOF by open heart surgery.

The two surgical options are –
1. Palliative or Temporary Surgery – The procedure aims for improving the flow of blood to the lungs from a major blood vessel of the heart (Aorta). This is a preferred option when the baby is very blue and is having low weight to undergo complete repair.
This involves creating an artificial channel for the blood to reach the lungs by placing a shunt between a large artery and one of the pulmonary artery (either right or left) that diverges the blood from the aorta to the lungs for blood purification. This is known as BT shunt surgery. Sometimes when the size of pulmonary arteries is very small in size then central shunt needs to be done. This shunt is created between a large vessel of the heart (Aorta) and main vessel of the lung (Main pulmonary artery).

After doing this surgery, the child needs to be followed up at a regular interval till the complete repair is planned.

2. Complete Repair (Intra-cardiac repair of TOF) – Through this procedure, the surgeon enlarges the passage between the right ventricle and pulmonary artery so that blood flows to the lungs improves as well as surgeon closed the hole in heart (VSD) by putting a patch across it. (This abolishes overriding of the aorta as well).

• Hypertrophy of right ventricle decreases gradually over a time period.

Most children do well after complete surgery. Follow-up with Pediatric Cardiologist is required to ensure well being of the child.

Heart disease is definitely something, which is serious. In most cases, it is the result of a person’s lack of prudence when it comes to staying fit and moderating what food items feature in the diet. But is this always the case? Well, not at all. Genetic or hereditary heart diseases, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, long QT syndrome, very high cholesterol levels running in the family and many others, provide enough reason as to why not.

This is because a person cannot be blamed for hereditary heart disease as the reason why this occurs is on account of the genetic makeup. So, the best way for one to know, if there is a risk of this sort of disease is to take a look at the family history with respect to the disease.

1. Keep a record: One of the ways by which a person can get to know if there is a risk of hereditary heart disease is by finding out, if a condition known as arrhythmia is prevalent in the family. This is a condition in which the heart has an irregular heartbeat and can be potentially lethal. Other things which are to be watched out for include, but are not limited to, a track record of members in the family who have faced a heart failure at a young age, especially prior to them reaching the age of 50.
2. Watch out for signs: It is not always true that the signs of hereditary heart diseases pertain to the heart. If a person has fainted or has had seizures, and effective treatment could not be performed by making use of the normal medicines, which would generally be used in these circumstances, it could be taken as a sign of the presence of hereditary heart disease.
3. Get tested: To know if there is a risk of hereditary heart disease, it is important that a person gets genetically tested. This is to be done so that the gene analysis can provide details as to which hereditary heart diseases a person has, along with the other members of the family. There are various tests for things such as HCM, ARVD and Marfan syndrome.

Apart from this, undergoing genetic counselling is also considered important. This is to keep a check on the worries of having a sudden heart attack as well as the concerns one may have about passing the genes relating to the heart disease to one’s offspring. This is one of the most necessary, but underrated things when it comes to dealing with hereditary heart disease.

Ever wondered why you needed to share Hereditary Heart Diseasesyour family’s health history at a doctor’s clinic? Specific questions regarding health issues of your immediate family or close blood relatives give your doctor an insight into various health risks you might have now or in future. Those are medical conditions inherited by parents or grandparents through genes. Genes are passed from parents to children in DNA of eggs or sperms.90658 Even a single mutation (fault) in gene can influence body systems and may lead to disorders. If any of the parents have a faulty gene, there are 50:50 chances of the child inheriting it.

Hereditary heart diseases are also a result of mutation in one or more genes and tend to run in families. Genes control almost all aspects of cardiovascular system including strengthening blood vessels, pumping capacity or communication of cells in the heart. A single genetic variation is enough to alter cardiovascular processes increasing the risk of developing a heart disease, attack or a stroke. Some of the most common hereditary cardiac disorders include; Arrhythmias, congenital heart diseases and cardiomyopathy. A family history of heart attack or stroke is also an eHereditary Heart Diseasesstablished high-risk factor for the family members. High blood cholesterol, medically known as familial hypercholesterolemia also tends to run in families.

Unfortunately, many of these conditions cannot be prevented since they are acquired through genes. But there are many ways in which these could be managed before they become complicated or fatal.

Let’s look at some ways by which we can deal with hereditary heart diseases and increase a patient’s chances of survival:

1. Early Diagnosis And Treatment: When one person in the family is diagnosed with a heart disease, it is strongly advisable for other family members to go in for screening. An early diagnosis can help in better treatment and management of the disease and impacts positively on patients’ life. Medical screening of siblings is highly recommended in case a person suffers a sudden cardiac death especially at a young age.

2. Watch out for these symptoms at a young age: Abnormal heart rhythm, asthma that does not get better with inhaler, seizures that do not improve with medication, extreme fatigue or shortness of breath are warning signals and need immediate medical attention.

3. Genetic Testing: Family members may opt for genetic testing to check if they carried genes of an inherited disorder.

4. Genetic Counselling: Genetic counselling deals with problems like anxieties and fear of attacks, confusion over disease and emotional difficulties in accepting the situation.

We may not be able to change the family history but we can surely change our environment, lifestyle and habits. Eating healthy and following an active lifestyle does help in prevention and management of such diseases.

It is not just the skin or eye color that you inherit through your genes, it is also the chances of you having a heart attack. It has been proven beyond doubt that if heart diseases run in your family, then you are very likely to develop them too. Another worrying factor is that there are a whole lot of heart diseases which are hereditary, not just an isolated condition.

Whether it is congenital heart disease(which is present at birth) to atherosclerotic (which is usually associated with ageing), all of them are hereditary.

If that worried you, there is good news. A family history definitely puts you at risk of developing heart disease, but it is all in your hands to overcome this risk and even completely eliminate it. Read on to know more!

1. Eat right: A healthy diet is the single most important contributor to your health. If your diet is rich in fiber (whole grains, vegetables, fruits), rich in omega-3 fatty acids, reduced hydrogenated and trans fat, it works wonders for your heart. Stay away from processed and packaged foods and eat fresh as much as possible. Eating seasonal fruits, taking vitamin supplements if required, using olive oil, and drinking green tea goes a long way in improving heart health. While these are good options for anybody, if you have a family history of heart disease, these become almost mandatory.
2. Exercise: In addition to the processed and junk foods, lack of exercise is another accelerator for heart disease. Pick up a form of exercise you enjoy and see the difference. Be it walking, cycling, jogging, or hitting the gym, work out a regimen that suits you and consistently work at it to see the best results.
3. Smoking: Smoking is one habit which damages the body in multiple ways. If there is a family history of heart disease, this accelerates the onset very rapidly. So, quit smoking, or at least reduce to prevent the onset of heart disease.
4. Alcohol: This gives a quick high, but damages your life in the long run. In addition to the alcohol per se, the accompanying foods are also a major culprit (fried and oily). Moderate alcohol consumption is definitely advised if your family has a history of heart attacks.
5. Stress Management: Stress is believed to the accelerator for heart disease, so if there is a family history too, it definitely needs to be managed. Unwind and see the difference. Meditation or music, exercise or enjoying with friends and family, pick your way to unwind.

So, while you may have inherited the chances of developing a heart disease, the above measures can help you prolong onset, and if done religiously, prevent heart disease too.

Cardiac problems are increasing in today’s world, because of stress, poor lifestyle, increased obesity and lack of physical activity. A cardiologist expertise in the field of cardiology and can identify early warning signs of any cardiac problems which we may not be able to get hold of. They are specialized in performing simple checks like blood pressure, pulse rate and diagnostic tests such as an ECG, a blood test or an X-ray.

Consult these best cardiologist in Kolkata today to check your heart health.

1. Dr. Sanjib Patra

MBBS, MD - Medicine, DM - Cardiology, Fellowship In Interventional Cardiology, Fellowship In 

Electrophysiology

Consultation fees: ₹1000

Dr. Sanjib Patra is a Senior Consultant Cardiologist at Desun Hospital and heart institute, with 23 years of experience. He has done his DM- Cardiology in 2006 from All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. His areas of specialization are cardiac Electrophysiology and Interventional Cardiology. Dr. Patra has served many reputed institutions in the country. He has also handled certain difficult cases of Angiography, Cardiac ablation, Coronary Bypass Surgery and Mitral Valve Replacement.

2. Dr. Indranil Dutta

MBBS, MD

Consultation fees: ₹600-800

Dr. Indranil Dutta has over 30 years experience and specializes as interventional cardiologist. He is currently associated with Apollo clinic, Rabindranath Tagore hospital and NG Medicare. He is a member of some reputed international associations like Cardiological Society of India (CSI) and Association of Physicians of India (API). He was awarded with a gold medal in his final year of MD at GRMC & JIwaji University, Gwalior. He has successfully performed several coronary interventions, mitral valvuloplasty, permanent pacing and electrophysiology procedures.

3. Dr. Sandip Rungta

PGDCC, Fellowship in Diabetology, Fellowship in Emergency Medicine

Consultation fees: ₹600

Dr. Sandip Rungta is a renowned cardiologist and has 12 years of working experience. After completing his post graduate diploma in clinical cardiology, he completed fellowship in emergency medicine and diabetology. He runs his own clinic in Girish Park, Kolkata. His areas of expertise are congenital heart defects, coronary artery diseases, heart failures, valvular heart diseases and electrophysiology.

4. Dr. K.M. Mandana

MBBS, Mch, MS - General Surgery

Consultation fees: ₹900

Dr. K.M. Mandana is currently practicing at Fortis hospital in Kolkata as Consultant in cardiothoracic and vascular surgery. He has completed his MS in general surgery from S.N. Medical College, Rajasthan and MCh (Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery) from Kasturba Medical College & Hospital, Manipal. He has performed several critical and complex cardiothoracic and vascular surgeries in his 25 years of career.

5. Dr. Soumya Patra

MBBS, MD - Pediatrics, DM - Cardiology, FACC, FESC

Consultation fees: ₹700

Dr. Soumya Patra is a young interventional cardiologist and has performed various adult and Pediatric Cardiac intervention as well as cardiac device implantation. He is a professional member of American College of Cardiology (ACC), European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Intervention (EAPCI) and Acute Cardiac Care Association (ACCA) of European Society of Cardiology. He has also been awarded fellowship from American College of Cardiology (FACC) and European Society of Cardiology (FESC).

6. Dr. Sudeb Mukherjee

MD - Internal Medicine, DM - Cardiology

Consultation fees: ₹400

Dr. Sudeb Mukherjee is a qualified cardiologist with 4 years of experience. He is  currently practicing at Amarjyoti, Kolkata. He completed his MD from Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education And Research, Kolkata.

7. Dr. Priyam Mukherjee

MBBS, MD - Cardiology, DM - Cardiology

Consultation fees: ₹800

Dr. Priyam Mukherjee has about 12 years of experience as a cardiologist. He is currently affiliated with Fortis hospital, Kolkata. He completed his MBBS from Calcutta university, after which he did MD and DM in cardiology from the same university.

8. Dr. Prithwiraj Bhattacharjee

MBBS, MD - General Medicine, DM - Cardiology

Consultation fees: ₹800

Dr. Prithwiraj Bhattacharjee is a consultant in Cardiology at Fortis Hospital, Kolkata. He has 9 years of working experience in this field and has performed various Angiography and Angioplasty procedures. He is an active member of Interventional Cardiology handouts and has national and international publications to his name.

9. Dr. Ritendra Nath Talapatra

MBBS, Diploma in Family Medicine (DFM), DNB - General Medicine, MNAMS (Membership of the National Academy), Post Graduate in Clinical Cardiology

Consultation fees: ₹400

Dr. Ritendra Nath Talapatra is a qualified DNB cardiologist and currently works at Charnock Hospital, Kolkata. He is a professional member of National Academy of Medical Sciences and has also been awarded with Dr. Abdul Kalam Gold Medal Award in 2015. His areas of interest are Non-invasive and Invasive Cardiology.

10. Dr. Arindam Pande

MBBS, MD - General Medicine, DM - Cardiology, FACC, FESC, FRCP

Consultation fees: ₹400

Dr. Arindam Pande has 14 years of experience as a cardiologist and currently works as a consultant at Apollo Gleneagles Hospital, Kolkata. His areas of specialization are structural heart disease interventions, coronary angiography and angioplasty via the radial route, permanent pacemaker implantation, implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICD), cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), balloon mitral valvuloplasty (BMV), BPV, electrophysiology (EP) study, peripheral vascular interventions and device closure of congenital heart disease.

He is member of some reputed associations such as Indian Medical Association (IMA), Cardiological Society of India (CSI), Indian college of cardiology, Fellowship of the European Society of Cardiology (FESC) and American College of Cardiology.