Good news for heart patients as ₹80,000 tests now free:Hamidia Hospital launches free heart tests, reduces unnecessary procedures

Good news for heart patients in Madhya Pradesh: Hamidia Hospital in Bhopal has begun offering treatment using two modern technologies – Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS) and Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR). These cutting-edge techniques allow doctors to accurately determine whether a patient truly needs a stent. Until now, even a slight suspicion after angiography often led to stent placement. With IVUS and FFR, many patients can now avoid unnecessary stent procedures, reducing risks and improving outcomes. The technologies also provide real-time verification to ensure that any stent placed is correctly positioned and functioning optimally. While private hospitals charge up to ₹80,000 for these procedures, Hamidia Hospital is providing them completely free of cost. Heart disease accounts for 34 percent of deaths in Madhya Pradesh, and cases among young people have risen sharply since COVID. In response, the Cardiology Department at Hamidia has implemented IVUS and FFR to provide precise, life-saving care. Both techniques equip doctors with highly accurate information during coronary angioplasty, ensuring safer, more effective treatment for patients across the state. Hamidia Hospital introduces advanced heart treatment for patients IVUS is a technique that looks inside blood vessels Senior Cardiologist Dr. Ajay Sharma explains that Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS) works like a highly precise camera inserted into the heart’s blood vessels. This allows doctors to clearly visualize the amount of calcium buildup, the fibrotic portions, and the exact condition of any blockage. The biggest advantage of IVUS is that after a stent is placed, its position, expansion, and proper adhesion (apposition) to the vessel can be checked immediately. This virtually eliminates the risk of a stent being placed incorrectly or not fully opening. FFR will tell whether a stent is needed or not The Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) technique is particularly useful for patients whose reports show borderline blockages. According to Dr. Sharma, sometimes angiography shows a blockage, but it does not actually obstruct blood flow. The FFR test measures whether the blockage truly affects blood flow to the heart muscles. If the FFR report is negative, the patient does not require a stent, saving them from unnecessary surgery, medications, and associated risks. Successfully used on 3 patients so far The team of Dr. Rajeev Gupta, HOD of Cardiology Department at Hamidia Hospital, has successfully treated three patients using these two techniques. The team includes Professor Dr. Ajay Sharma, Dr. RS Meena and Dr. RK Singh. Cath lab technicians Hemendra Sharma, Sarvesh Joshi and nursing officers Upma and Utpreksha have also contributed to this. According to senior cardiologist Dr. Ajay Sharma, cases of heart disease in young people have increased rapidly after COVID. Irregular daily routine, lack of physical activity, stress and poor eating habits are major causes. In such cases, the need for stents has also increased, but now new technologies will help determine whether a stent is really necessary or not. Death figures in MP raising concerns According to the central government’s MCCD Report 2022 (Medical Certification of Cause of Death), in Madhya Pradesh, 34 out of every 100 deaths occur due to heart and circulatory diseases. Across the country, this figure has reached 40.8 percent. The shocking fact is that 17 percent of children under 14 years of age are also dying due to heart disease. In this context, this new technology started at Hamidia Hospital is considered a major and necessary change in heart treatment. Easy way to keep the heart healthy
Specialists say that brisk walking for at least 30 minutes daily is necessary to keep the heart healthy. Walking slowly does not help much. Walking at a fast pace is more effective for the heart. Additionally, never take chest pain lightly. Emotional stress causes blood vessels to constrict, which increases pain and high blood pressure problems.