At the beginning of my career as an Interventional Cardiologist, my misbelief was that I have to treat only the patients and their illnesses ethically and scientifically, that’s all and I will be through. But, I was totally mistaken. In my daily practice I have to deal with the mentality and the dogmas of the patient and their relatives more than the disease itself. There are many wrong convictions about medical field and treatment options. Similarly, there is prevalent mistrust about the Doctors and the entire health care system. In my particular field one of the most challenging situations is convincing the patient and their loved ones about the diagnosis and treatment options of heart attack.

Heart attack is the number one cause of death all around the world. Many patients have underlying conditions like smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure or familial tendency. In the modern era, lifestyle issues like obesity, inactivity, and work-related stress also contribute significantly. Still, most of the time, heart attacks occur suddenly without any warning, making it more fatal. Timely treatment is of utmost importance. Without treatment, the chances of mortality (chance of death) are significantly high, up to 50% chances of dying in some conditions like cardiogenic shock. Primary angioplasty (PAMI) is the best treatment option available for heart attack. In PAMI, we take the patient to the cardiac catheterization laboratory immediately (according to guidelines within 90 minutes of hospitalization) to perform the angiography to check where is the block. Almost all patients require an angioplasty right away, where the block is removed by putting a metallic stent (spring-like structure). Although it feels very aggressive, this treatment modality has changed the outcomes dramatically, and now we are able to save most of the lives who used to perish due to heart attack.
In my practice, the biggest problem I have faced is patients and relatives do not accept the diagnosis of a heart attack itself. Even if they accept it, many of them take a lot of time to make decisions (time is muscle in heart attack patients, it’s like an ongoing fire, if you don’t extinguish it in time, it causes more damage and is potentially life-threatening).

Another common clinical scenario is a stable patient presenting with chest pain suggesting a heart problem (angina) but no heart attack. In such a condition, we advise getting an elective angiography done. After angiography, there is also time to make a decision. We can wait for a couple of days, sometimes weeks for angioplasty. What the common man needs to understand is that these two conditions are drastically different: one is life-threatening where we have to act immediately, and the other is just a warning sign where we have a lot of time to make decisions. It’s crucial for patients and their families to understand the nuances of these conditions to ensure the best possible outcomes.

The aim of writing this post is to provide accurate and reliable scientific information, debunking myths and misconceptions surrounding modern medical care. By presenting evidence-based facts, the goal is to foster a greater sense of trust in the efficacy and safety of modern medical interventions. The ultimate objective is to empower individuals to make informed decisions about their healthcare, ensuring that they receive the right treatment at the right time.

Mission — Healthy Hearts.

Dr Tamiruddin A. Danwade

Dr. Tamiruddin A. Danwade is a highly experienced Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, known for providing exceptional care and expertise in the field of cardiology. With a deep commitment to improving the heart health of his patients, Dr. Danwade has established the Mother & Rhythm Clinics in the vibrant locales of Kharghar and Seawoods in Navi Mumbai. His dedication and proficiency in interventional cardiology have earned him the trust and gratitude of numerous patients seeking specialized treatment for heart-related conditions. At both clinics, Dr. Danwade and his team strive to offer comprehensive cardiac care, utilizing advanced techniques and a patient-centered approach to ensure the well-being of every individual who walks through their doors.