Apollo Hospitals, Visakhapatnam, has launched a groundbreaking initiative called the ‘Apollo Chest Pain Clinic’ to tackle the rising number of sudden cardiac deaths, especially among younger people. The clinic was officially inaugurated by Smt. Vangalapudi Anitha, Hon’ble Home Minister of Andhra Pradesh, at Apollo Hospitals, Health City, Visakhapatnam. Services will be available at both the Ramnagar and Health City hospitals, providing easy access for anyone experiencing even the slightest symptoms of chest pain.
These specialized Chest Pain Clinics are designed to evaluate chest pain, whether serious or not, offering life-saving care to heart attack patients through rapid medical intervention. For those with non-cardiac-related chest pain, reassurance is provided at no cost. The primary aim is to make critical heart care accessible without the fear of financial burden from precautionary visits.
As per the press release, both clinics are equipped with state-of-the-art technology and infrastructure to handle emergency cases, with specialists available 24/7 to treat heart attack patients promptly. Each patient with chest pain is quickly assessed by a dedicated emergency team to determine if the pain is heart-related. Tests such as ECG and Trop I will be conducted, and a cardiologist will diagnose the cause. If a heart attack is detected, appropriate treatment, including medical management, angiography, or primary angioplasty, will be administered based on standard protocols.
Speaking at the event, Smt. Vangalapudi Anitha praised the dedication of the doctors and medical staff in supporting patients during critical moments. “When faced with serious health issues like heart conditions, the first name that often comes to mind is Apollo Hospitals,” she said. She highlighted that this innovative Chest Pain Clinic offers immediate assessment for chest pain, helping to determine if it’s heart-related and ensuring timely treatment. In cases where the pain is not cardiac-related, Apollo will waive consultation fees, addressing concerns over potential costs.
Dr. D.K. Baruah, Senior Cardiologist at Apollo Hospitals, Visakhapatnam, explained, “When we launched Apollo Hospitals in Vizag, cardiac care in the region was in its early stages. We are proud to have pioneered advancements such as performing the first angioplasty in coastal Andhra. Our mission remains to prevent the tragic loss of life caused by delays in detecting heart attacks and delivering urgent care. Time is critical in heart health, and even a brief delay can mean the difference between life and death. With the Chest Pain Clinic, we are committed to offering immediate evaluation and treatment to save lives.”
Apollo Hospitals’ advanced ACLS ambulances, manned by well-trained medical staff, are available 24/7 for emergencies, with free pickup services within a 10 km radius of the hospital.
Key dignitaries at the event included Sri Y. Subramaniam, Regional CEO of Apollo Hospitals, senior cardiologists Dr. D.K. Baruah, Dr. N.K. Panigrahi, Dr. Sashanka Chunduri, Dr. Chakradar Pedada, Dr. Ravikanth T., cardiothoracic surgeons Dr. J.K. Trivedi, Dr. L. Vijay, medical superintendent Dr. Balakrishna, and COO Ramchandra.