Understanding Your Heart:A Guide to Modern Cardiology
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death globally — and India bears one of the heaviest burdens. At Kolkata Heart Foundation, our cardiologists see patients every day whose lives could have been transformed by earlier awareness. This post is a starting point for that journey.
What does a cardiologist actually do?
Cardiology is the branch of medicine specialising in the structure, function, and diseases of the heart and blood vessels. At KHF, our team handles everything from hypertension and rhythm disorders to complex coronary artery disease and heart failure — using tools ranging from a simple ECG to advanced cardiac MRI and nuclear stress imaging.
“A resting ECG takes 10 minutes and costs very little. Yet it can detect a silent heart attack you never knew you had.”
The warning signs you should never ignore
Many heart attacks do not announce themselves with the dramatic chest-clutching we see in films. Symptoms can be subtle — especially in women and diabetic patients. Know these red flags:
- Chest discomfort, tightness, pressure or pain lasting more than a few minutes, or that goes away and returns
- Shortness of breath, with or without chest discomfort
- Discomfort in the left arm, jaw, neck, or upper back
- Unusual fatigue, nausea, or lightheadedness — particularly in women
- Palpitations or a racing heartbeat that does not settle quickly
If you or someone nearby experiences sudden chest pain with sweating or difficulty breathing, call emergency services immediately. Every minute of delay during a heart attack means more muscle loss. Time is muscle.
Screening: who needs it and how often?
Cardiac screening at KHF starts with a detailed history, blood pressure check, lipid panel, fasting glucose, and a 12-lead ECG. We recommend annual checks for anyone over 40, or earlier if you have diabetes, a family history of heart disease, or are a smoker. An echocardiogram is added when structural concerns arise.
Advances like cardiac CT angiography now allow us to visualise coronary arteries non-invasively, giving patients and physicians a precise risk picture without the need for a hospital stay.
Living well with heart disease
A cardiac diagnosis is not the end of an active life. With the right medication, supervised rehabilitation, dietary adjustments, and consistent follow-up, most patients at KHF return to full and fulfilling lives. Our cardiac rehabilitation programme — which combines structured exercise, nutritional counselling, and psychological support — reduces the risk of a second cardiac event by up to 35%.
