HEART OF THE MATTER DR. BHARAT KUKRETI
Can you tell us a little about your journey as one of the country's top interventional cardiologists?
I started my medical journey in 1996 from King George's medical college Lucknow where I learnt my strong clinical skills. From 2002 to 2005 I studied MD internal medicine from GSVM medical college Kanpur. My journey as an Interventional cardiologist started in 2007 from AIIMS New Delhi where I did my DM cardiology and learnt basics of Intervention cardiology. I remained associated with AIIMS for three years. Since 2013 I have been practicing in Gurgaon.
What advice would you give to younger doctors keen to choose cardiology as a specialization?
Cardiology is very exciting and challenging branch of medicine. We have to deal with emergencies 24/7 but it’s gratifying to see our timely efforts saving a patient's life. We need to be updated with evolving trends and new interventions to serve our patients better. Ethical evidence based practice should be followed.
September 29 is World Heart Day. What are some tips you would like to give our readers on keeping their heart healthy, and heart-disease away?
Key to healthy heart is
• Balanced healthy diet,
• Regular physical activity,
• Avoiding sedentary life (inactivity is as bad as smoking),
• Avoid stress and ensure adequate sleep
• Avoid smoking and substance abuse
• Keep blood pressure, diabetes and other co-morbid conditions under check
Globally, and in India, who are some of your peers who inspire you, and why?
I am especially inspired by vision of Dr Eugene Braunwald regarding future of cardiovascular medicine. In the field of Intervention Cardiology I am inspired by Dr Antonio Colombo for his innovative ways and Goran Stankovic for his systematic approach towards interventions.
As a practicing cardiologist, what are some of the biggest challenges in your practice?
Time management becomes the biggest challenge as the practice advances. In emergencies our decisions have to be quick, precise as well as well informed to the patient and relatives. Most of healthcare expenses in India are still borne by patients themselves, which creates as major gap in patient and healthcare service delivery.
Can you tell us a little about recent advancements in cardiology?
New methods to deal with Coronary calcium (intravascular lithotripsy, high pressure balloons, directional atherectomy) have become available.
TAVI (trans catheter Aortic Valve Implantation) is now rapidly gaining popularity for management of severe aortic stenosis patients.
Mitra-clip is a new method to reduce Mitral valve regurgitation in degenerative severe mitral regurgitation or in heart failure with severe MR.
Fortunately, all of these are now available with us in India for benefit of our patients. These are just a few of many great advancements that have happened.