The healthcare landscape in India has been evolving significantly, positioning the country as a premier destination for exceptional heart care. Over the years, India’s leading cardiologists have made remarkable advancements in diagnosis, treatment, and surgical procedures, establishing the nation as a center of excellence in this field.
As heart disease remains a serious health issue, the need for skilled specialists is at an all-time high. From innovative minimally invasive techniques to intricate heart surgeries done with great accuracy, the top 10 cardiologists in India are transforming cardiac healthcare.
Equipped with advanced technology, modern hospitals, and recognized expertise, these experts have saved many lives and established new standards in heart treatment. Whether it’s preventive care, interventional cardiology, or critical surgeries, India’s leading heart specialists are dedicated to providing the highest quality care for patients. In this blog, we will explore the top 10 cardiologists in India and the factors that contribute to their excellence.
Top 10 Cardiologists in India
1) Dr. T S Kler
Dr. Tarlochan Singh Kler is a highly regarded interventional cardiologist, boasting more than 48 years of expertise in his specialty. He presently holds the position of Chairman and Head of the Department at the BLK-Max Heart & Vascular Institute in New Delhi.
Qualification
- MBBS: Government Medical College and Hospital, Patiala (1976)
- MD (Medicine): Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh (1980)
- DM (Cardiology): PGIMER, Chandigarh (1983)
- MRCP: United Kingdom
- FRCP: United Kingdom
- FACC: USA
Experience and Expertise: Dr. T S Kler has successfully conducted more than 35,000 procedures, encompassing coronary, renal, carotid, and peripheral angioplasties. He is highly regarded for his proficiency in interventional cardiology and cardiac electrophysiology, having founded the first specialized electrophysiology department in India. He was also the first in the country to implant devices such as the ICD, CRT-P, and CRT-D, and he achieved a significant milestone by performing India’s first HIS Bundle Pacing in 2015.
Professional Affiliations:
– Founding President, Heart Rhythm Society of India
– Fellow, American College of Cardiology (FACC)
– Fellow, Royal College of Physicians (FRCP), UK
– Life Member, Cardiological Society of India
– Life Member, Indian Medical Association
Contributions and Honors:
Dr. Kler has contributed approximately 150 articles to both national and international journals and frequently presents at global conferences. His achievements in the medical field have earned him numerous accolades, including the Padma Bhushan in 2005, an honorary D.Sc from Punjab University, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Indian Medical Association.
Dr. Kler’s commitment to enhancing cardiac care and his groundbreaking efforts in electrophysiology have made a profound impact on the discipline, both within India and on a global scale.
2) Dr. Subhash Chandra
Dr. Subhash Chandra is a distinguished interventional cardiologist with over 30 years of experience. He currently serves as the Chairman and Head of the Department of Cardiology at BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital in New Delhi.
Qualifications:
- MBBS: Details not specified.
- MD (Internal Medicine): Details not specified.
- DM (Cardiology): All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi
- DNB (Cardiology): Diplomate of National Board
- FACC: Fellow of the American College of Cardiology
- FCSI: Fellow of the Cardiological Society of India
- FESC: Fellow of the European Society of Cardiology.
Experience and Expertise: Dr. Chandra brings over three decades of expertise to his practice, having successfully completed more than 25,000 intricate interventional procedures, such as angioplasties and rotablation. His areas of specialization encompass coronary interventions, structural heart conditions, device implantation, and endovascular procedures. Remarkably, he has performed over 4,000 valvular balloon dilatations and more than 3,000 pacemaker implantations.
Professional Affiliations:
– Member, National Academy of Medical Sciences
– Member, Cardiological Society of India
Contributions and Honors
Dr. Chandra has contributed to the medical field with over 100 publications in both national and international journals. His achievements include receiving the Sujoy B. Roy Young Investigator Award and the Col. K.L. Chopra Research Award from the Cardiological Society of India.
3) Dr. Aparna Jaswal
Dr. Aparna Jaswal is a renowned cardiologist and electrophysiologist with over 28 years of experience. She holds the position of Director in the Department of Electrophysiology and Cardiac Pacing at Fortis Escorts Heart Institute in New Delhi.
Qualifications:
- MBBS (GOLD MEDALIST)
- MD (GENERAL MEDICINE)
- DNB (CARDIOLOGY) – GOLD MEDALIST
- CERTIFIED CARDIAC DEVICE SPECIALIST
- FHRS, USA.
Experience and Expertise: Dr. Jaswal is a distinguished cardiologist and electrophysiologist, renowned for her vast expertise in cardiac pacing and electrophysiology. She specializes in the catheter-based radiofrequency ablation of intricate arrhythmias, the implantation of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs), and biventricular pacing. Her practice emphasizes electrophysiological assessments and radiofrequency catheter ablation techniques for a range of cardiac arrhythmias.
Contributions and Honors:
Dr. Jaswal has been actively involved in electrophysiological studies and has contributed to advancements in the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias.
4) Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty
Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty is a prominent cardiac surgeon based in Bangalore, India. He is the founder and chairman of Narayana Health, a network of 21 medical centers across India.
Qualifications:
- MBBS: Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore
- FRCS: Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, UK.
Experience and Expertise: Dr. Shetty is a distinguished cardiac surgeon with an extensive career that spans multiple decades. He has successfully conducted more than 15,000 heart surgeries and is recognized for his efforts in making cardiac care more affordable. His specialization lies in pediatric cardiac surgery, and he has played a key role in creating cost-effective healthcare solutions.
Professional Affiliations:
– Founder and Chairman, Narayana Health
Contributions and Honors
Dr. Shetty’s groundbreaking methods have significantly increased access to cardiac surgeries for a wider demographic. In recognition of his medical contributions, he received the Padma Bhushan Award in 2012.
5) Dr. Ashok Seth
Dr. Ashok Seth is a leading interventional cardiologist based in New Delhi. He serves as the Chairman of Fortis Escorts Heart Institute and Head of the Cardiology Council at Fortis Group of Hospitals.
Qualifications:
- MBBS
- MD (Medicine)
- DM (Cardiology
- FRCP: Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, UK
- FACC: Fellow of the American College of Cardiology
- FSCAI: Fellow of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions.
Experience and Expertise: Dr. Seth is a prominent interventional cardiologist renowned for his extensive expertise in conducting angiograms and angioplasties. Dr. Seth has performed over 50,000 angiograms and 20,000 angioplasties. He is recognized for introducing new techniques in angioplasty, including directional atherectomy, angioscopy, and stents. He has pioneered several innovative techniques in angioplasty, such as directional atherectomy, angioscopy, and stenting. His specialization encompasses complex coronary interventions and endovascular procedures.
Professional Affiliations:
– Chairman, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, New Delhi
– Head, Cardiology Council, Fortis Group of Hospitals
Contributions and Honors:
Dr. Seth has played a pivotal role in advancing interventional cardiology, significantly contributing to the evolution of new techniques and medical devices. In recognition of his remarkable contributions to the field of medicine, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2015.
6) Dr. Balbir Singh
Dr. Balbir Singh serves as the Group Chairman of Cardiac Sciences at Pan Max and holds the position of Chief of Interventional Cardiology and Electrophysiology at Max Saket.
Qualifications:
- MBBS, Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi, 1983
- MD, Internal Medicine, Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi, 1987
- DM, Cardiology, Govind Ballabh Pant Hospital, New Delhi, 1992
- Fellowship, American College of Cardiology, USA, 2005.
Experience and Expertise: Dr. Balbir Singh is the Chairman of Cardiology at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, with over 34 years of experience. He specializes in interventional cardiology and electrophysiology. Dr. Balbir Singh not only leads the Cardiology department but also serves as the Chairman of Cardiology at Pan Max. His responsibilities encompass overseeing physician employment, credentialing, research, development, quality assurance, clinical governance, and training, which includes the DNB program in Cardiology across all Max hospitals.
He has been a pioneer in introducing various minimally invasive cardiology surgical techniques in India and has received the esteemed Padma Shree Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions. Additionally, his work has been acknowledged in the “LIMCA” Book of Records and the Indian Electrophysiology Journal. Listed as one of the top cardiologist in India.
In addition to his full-time medical practice, Dr. Singh has served as an advisor on advisory panels for several leading international societies and is well-regarded for his numerous publications in prestigious national and international medical journals.
Contributions and Honors:
- Padma Shri Award, 2007
- Best Operator at India Live 2016
- Golden Hand Award at AICT, Singapore, 2012
- Best late-breaking trail at APHRS, Talwan, 2018.
7) Dr. K.K. Saxena
Dr. K.K. Saxena serves as the Senior Consultant at Senior at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi with over 33+ years of experience.
Qualifications:
- MBBS: Details not specified.
- MD (Internal Medicine): Details not specified.
- DM (Cardiology): Details not specified.
Experience and Expertise: Dr. K K Saxena is recognized as one of India’s leading cardiologists, boasting over three decades of expertise in the field. He serves as a senior consultant in interventional cardiology at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in New Delhi. Dr. Saxena is adept at diagnosing and managing cardiovascular conditions in both children and adults. His specialties include balloon dilation procedures for the mitral and pulmonary valves, as well as the renal and peripheral arteries, and treatment for aortic coarctation. Alongside his team, he has successfully conducted numerous cardiac catheterizations and pacemaker insertions. Before his tenure at Apollo Hospital, Dr. K K Saxena gained valuable experience at various prestigious hospitals, both nationally and internationally. He also pursued research in interventional cardiology at the Royal Adelaide Hospital in Australia. Furthermore, he is also known as one if the top cardiologists in India
Contributions and Honors:
- Dr. Saxena has been involved in various research projects and has published articles in reputed medical journals.
- Tetralogy of Fallot with absent pulmonary valve: Key diagnostic characteristics and treatment approaches ~ Indian Heart Journal. 1991; 43:449
- Isolated interruption of the aortic arch in adult females ~ Indian Heart Journal. 1992; 44:119
- Balloon sizing in percutaneous mitral balloon valvotomy procedures ~ Indian Heart Journal. 1991; 43:249.
8) Dr. Naresh Trehan
Dr. Naresh Trehan is the Chairman and Managing Director, of Medanta, Department of Cardiac Surgery, Heart Care with over 40+ years of experience.
Qualifications:
- MBBS: King George’s Medical College, Lucknow
- Residency: New York University Medical Center, USA
Experience and Expertise: Dr. Trehan boasts an impressive record of over 48,000 successful open-heart surgeries and is the visionary behind a unique hospital.
Dr. Naresh Trehan is recognized as one of the top cardiologists in India, particularly renowned for his expertise in performing open-heart surgeries to address coronary blockages. These blockages, associated with coronary artery disease, can lead to serious health issues, including heart attacks and fatalities. The standard treatment for this condition is coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), a procedure that Dr. Naresh Trehan frequently performs. Also known as one of the top cardiologist in India.
In addition to open-heart procedures, Dr. Naresh Trehan has extensive experience in abdominal aneurysm surgery, aortic aneurysms, and various valve replacements, such as mitral and aortic valve replacements, as well as tricuspid and pulmonary valve surgeries. He also conducts advanced procedures, including aortic root replacement and mitral valve replacement for patients with rheumatic heart disease.
Professional Affiliations:
- Founder, Escorts Heart Institute and Research Centre
- Founder, Medanta-The Medicity.
Contributions and Honors:
- Dr. Trehan has served as the personal surgeon to the President of India since 1991. He has received several prestigious awards, including the Padma Shri in 1991 and the Padma Bhushan in 2001.
9) Dr. Ramakanta Panda
Dr. Ramakanta Panda is a distinguished cardiac surgeon and the Chief Consultant for Cardiovascular Thoracic Surgery, as well as the Chairman of the Asian Heart Institute in Mumbai with over 40+ years of experience.
Qualifications:
- MBBS: SCB Medical College, Cuttack
- MCh (Cardiovascular Surgery): All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi
- Fellowship: Cleveland Clinic, USA.
Experience and Expertise: Dr. Panda is esteemed as India’s leading cardiac surgeon and is regarded as the safest heart surgeon globally. He has successfully conducted over 29,000 cardiac surgeries, which include more than 2,000 redo surgeries and over 6,000 high-risk procedures. He is also listed as one of the top cardiologists in India.
His areas of specialization encompass coronary artery bypass grafting utilizing exclusively arterial grafts, beating heart surgery, redo bypass surgery, valve repair, and the management of complex aneurysms. Dr. Panda’s outstanding skills and knowledge have resulted in an impressive success rate of 99.5% in bypass surgeries.
Professional Affiliations:
- Chief Consultant and Chairman, Asian Heart Institute, Mumbai
Contributions and Honors:
- Dr. Panda is credited with introducing “total arterial revascularization” and is a pioneer of “off-pump” bypass surgery in India. He led the team that successfully operated on the then-Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh, in 2009. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2010 for his contributions to medicine.
10) Dr. Kewal Kishan Talwar
Dr. Kewal Kishan Talwar, a Padma Bhushan Award recipient, is a distinguished cardiologist and former chairman of the Medical Council of India, boasting more than 46 years of experience in the field.
Qualifications:
- MBBS: Details not specified.
- MD (Internal Medicine): Details not specified.
- DM (Cardiology): Details not specified.
Experience and Expertise: Dr. K.K. Talwar is a renowned cardiologist and medical academic with a career spanning several decades also known as one of the top cardiologist in India. He is a former Director of the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) and has served as the Chairman of the Medical Council of India. Specific details regarding the number of surgeries he has performed are not publicly available.
Professional Affiliations:
- Former Director, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER)
- Former Chairman, Medical Council of India.
Contributions and Honors:
- Dr. Talwar has received several prestigious awards, including the Padma Bhushan, B.C. Roy Award, ICMR Basanti Devi Amir Chand Award, NAMS Aryabhat Award, Norman Alpert Award, Ranbaxy Research Award, and Goyal Prize.
Conclusion
India is home to some of the most esteemed cardiologists globally, who have transformed cardiac care through their innovation, expertise, and compassion. Notable figures such as Dr. Naresh Trehan, Dr. Devi Shetty, and Dr. T S Kler are celebrated for their remarkable achievements in complex procedures and patient-focused treatment.
Whether you require preventive care, interventional procedures, or advanced heart surgery, these specialists provide world-class services supported by decades of experience.
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