Fortis Escorts Heart Institute (FEHI), Delhi, has been ranked as the best private hospital in cardiology, in a survey by the Week-Nielson Survey 2014, on India’s best hospitals. The survey conducted across 15 cities, was based on parameters of patient care, innovation, reputation, infrastructure, environment, research facilities and training programmes.

Dr Ashok Seth, chairman, FEHI, Delhi, said, “We have been delivering the highest level of advanced heart care in the country for over 25 years and have continuously strived in pushing the boundaries of excellence by pioneering the latest advances in treatment of heart disease and benefitting the patients in India. We have been internationally recognised for academic, teachings, training of young cardiologists and our research. The ranking motivates us to do even better for our patients in the country.”

Dr. Somesh Mittal, Zonal director, FEHI, said “We are proud to be ranked as India’s best private healthcare hospital in cardiac care, performing more than 14,000 procedures annually. We have one of the largest Cardiac Catheterisation Labs, among the most advanced Cardiac Cath labs in Asia and a dedicated Electrophysiology Lab. We will continue to offer the most advanced diagnostics, techniques, and treatments to continue to provide the best cardiac care in the country.”

Speaking on how Fortis Escorts meets the challenge of a rise in paediatric cases for heart disease, Dr Mittal, added, “We are one of the only few Institutes in India that are fully equipped to tackle the growing complexity of paediatric cardiac cases in the country. With an increased awareness, early diagnosis and FEHI’s unmatched expertise in the super-specialty, we have seen the number of cases go up, from a mere 3 cases in 1988, to 1500 cases in 2014. We are one of the few hospitals in India to perform life-saving interventions on both paediatric and older patients.”

Commenting on the growing incidence of cardiac diseases in the country, Dr Seth added, “Cardiovascular disease is the biggest killer in India and Asia. It is increasingly affecting younger people and women over the last 10-15 years. The spike in cardiac diseases in the youth is due to sedentary and stressful lifestyles that accompany high pressure jobs. Unhealthy diets and addictions like smoking and tobacco chewing are added factors. With changing social norms, women today enjoy an equal footing in the society and are working longer hours, shouldering greater stress and dual responsibility of home and career. All these aspects exacerbate the early onset of the disease. Each one of us, carry the responsibility of alleviating this potential burden by following a healthy lifestyle. We must create a robust system across the full spectrum of cardiac care, from prevention to treatment, of cardiovascular diseases.”