Latest news with #STARHospitals
Business Standard
6 days ago
- Health
- Business Standard
India's Silent Epidemic: STAR Hospitals Launch Dedicated Heart Failure Clinic to Battle 8-10 million Cases Nationwide
VMPL Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], July 17: With India witnessing a quiet explosion in heart failure cases, many striking working-age adults, STAR Hospitals has launched the STAR Heart Failure Clinic in Hyderabad, an initiative poised to tackle this growing crisis. The clinic aims to serve not only Telangana and Andhra Pradesh but also patients across India, combining world-class care with the urgency of a public health mission. Over the past five years, heart disease treatment claims have nearly doubled, and sudden cardiac deaths in the region have surged dramatically. In Telangana alone, 282 deaths were recorded in 2022; most among men in their 30s to 50s. Hyderabad's rising burden of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and stress has made it the epicenter of India's cardiovascular risk and the ideal launchpad for a clinic designed to prevent deaths, improve quality of life, and reduce re-hospitalizations among heart failure patients. STAR Heart Failure Clinic: A Lifesaving, Life-Changing Hub for India With an estimated 8-10 million Indians currently living with heart failure and up to 1.8 million new cases each year, the need for specialized, integrated care is critical. The STAR Heart Failure Clinic will provide: * Comprehensive diagnostics and risk stratification * Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy (GDMT) with proven survival benefits * Daycare infusion, cardiac rehab, and lifestyle support * Evaluation for advanced therapy such as Heart Transplant & LVAD - Left Ventricular Assist Devices * Long-term follow-up to prevent relapses and hospitalizations Most importantly, the clinic aims to bridge a massive care gap; national data shows that only 25-47% of Indian patients currently receive guideline-recommended heart failure therapies, despite their ability to reduce mortality by up to 60%. A Hyderabad-Driven Solution to a National Crisis "India's heart failure landscape is far more complex and urgent than many realize. Unlike the West, where patients typically present in their 70s, we're seeing Indians with heart failure nearly a decade earlier, often in their 50s and 60s at the peak of their working lives. Nearly 70% of these patients are men, many of them family breadwinners. The leading causes--ischemic heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, and rheumatic heart disease are striking younger, harder, and faster. Unfortunately, our in-hospital and one-year mortality rates remain nearly twice as high as the global averages. This is precisely why we've launched the STAR Heart Failure Clinic, to offer early diagnosis, structured therapy, and long-term care that can dramatically change outcomes for these patients and their families."-- Dr. Gopichand Mannam, Managing Director, STAR Hospitals Group, Hyderabad. A Silent Crisis: Heart Failure Gripping Younger Indians: Heart failure is emerging as a major public health challenge in India, driven by rising prevalence of coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes, and increasing life expectancy. Unlike in the West, heart failure in India often affects younger patients, leading to significant socio-economic impact. The disease burden is compounded by late diagnosis, suboptimal treatment, and lack of follow-up care. This underscores the urgent need for dedicated heart failure clinics that offer comprehensive, guideline-directed management, multidisciplinary care, patient education, and structured follow-up -- all critical to improving outcomes, reducing hospitalizations, and enhancing quality of life for Indian heart failure patients"-- Dr. Ramesh Gudapati, Joint Managing Director, STAR Hospitals Group, Hyderabad. Backed by Science, Driven by Hope "Heart failure isn't a single disease; it's a spectrum. It ranges from systolic failure (HFrEF), where the heart's pumping ability is weakened, to diastolic failure (HFpEF), where the heart becomes stiff and fails to fill properly. We also see right-sided and congestive forms, each with unique causes and treatments. The critical insight from my years in electrophysiology and interventional cardiology is this: early diagnosis saves lives and improves quality of life. When identified promptly in clinics or through screening, patients can begin tailored therapies, lifestyle changes, and device support before irreversible damage occurs. Evidence shows that timely, accurate diagnosis is the gateway to effective interventions that improve prognosis and reduce hospitalizations."-- Dr. Jagadeesh Babu Karusala, Sr. Consultant Cardiac Electrophysiologist & Interventional Cardiologist, STAR Hospitals Group Heart Transplant: A Safe, Life-Restoring Miracle for End-Stage Patients "For patients with end-stage heart failure, a heart transplant can be nothing short of miraculous, offering a renewed lease on life when all other treatments have failed. In India, we perform around 90-100 heart transplants annually, yet over 50,000 patients each year need this intervention, and only a tiny fraction receive it. For those who receive a transplant, the transformation is profound. One-year survival rates reach 90%, and the average life expectancy after transplant is approximately 12.5 years. Most patients can return to work within 3 to 6 months, and by the end of the first year, many resume active, fulfilling lives, even going for national and international vacations. Patients often tell me that post-transplant, it's as if they've been given a second chance, not just to live, but to live well. Their stories of returning to their families, careers, and passions are the most powerful testament to why we strive for better organ donation and transplant infrastructure."-- Dr. Suresh Yerra, Consultant - Advanced Heart Failure & Transplant Cardiologist, STAR Hospitals Group, Hyderabad. During the clinic's launch, heart transplant survivors and chronic heart failure patients shared emotional stories of survival and resilience, underscoring the life-changing impact of timely, structured care. STAR Hospital's multidisciplinary team now aims to lead India's charge against heart failure, combining clinical excellence with community outreach, education, and early screening programs. STAR Heart Failure Clinic A chance to intervene early, save lives, and build a model that can be replicated across India.
Business Standard
08-07-2025
- Health
- Business Standard
Renowned Indian Cardiac Surgeon Dr. Lokeswara Rao Sajja Inducted as Associate Member of Prestigious Sigma Xi Scientific Research Honor Society
VMPL New Delhi [India], July 8: Dr. Lokeswara Rao Sajja, Senior Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon at STAR Hospitals and Chairman of the Sajja Heart Foundation, has been inducted as an Associate Member of Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society--one of the world's oldest and most respected organizations dedicated to the advancement of science and research. Founded in 1886 at Cornell University, USA, Sigma Xi has a long legacy of supporting excellence in scientific research and fostering collaboration among researchers across disciplines. The society boasts over 200 Nobel Laureates among its past and present members, including eminent scientists like Albert Einstein, Richard Feynman, Barbara McClintock, Francis Crick, andJennifer Doudna among others. Membership in Sigma Xi is offered by invitation only, extended to individuals who have demonstrated significant contributions to scientific research. Dr. Sajja was invited and recognized for his pioneering work in cardiovascular surgery, including his leadership in conducting India's first multi-centre randomized trial in cardiac surgery (PROMOTE Patency Trial) and designing a mechanical heart valve that does not require long-term anticoagulation, which holds both US and Indian patents. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Sajja said, "I am honored to be invited into Sigma Xi, which represents the highest ideals of scientific inquiry and ethical research. This recognition strengthens my resolve to promote collaborative and patient-centered cardiovascular research from India on a global platform." Dr. Sajja's induction into Sigma Xi places him among an elite global fraternity of researchers committed to fostering innovation and advancing knowledge for the benefit of humanity. His association with Sigma Xi is also expected to inspire young Indian scientists, clinicians, and students to pursue evidence-based research with international standards. This development is a proud moment for India's scientific community and underscores the growing global recognition of Indian contributions in the fields of medical innovation, clinical research, and translational science.
Hans India
08-07-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Indian cardiac surgeon inducted as associate member of Sigma Xi Society
Hyderabad: Senior Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon at STAR Hospitals and Chairman of the Sajja Heart Foundation, Dr. Lokeswara Rao Sajja, has been inducted as an Associate Member of Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society—one of the world's oldest and most respected organizations dedicated to the advancement of science and research. Founded in 1886 at Cornell University, USA, Sigma Xi has a long legacy of supporting excellence in scientific research and fostering collaboration among researchers across disciplines. The society boasts over 200 Nobel Laureates among its past and present members, including eminent scientists like Albert Einstein, Richard Feynman, Barbara McClintock, Francis Crick, and Jennifer Doudna, among others. Membership in Sigma Xi is offered by invitation only, extended to individuals who have demonstrated significant contributions to scientific research. Dr. Sajja was invited and recognized for his pioneering work in cardiovascular surgery, including his leadership in conducting India's first multi-centre randomized trial in cardiac surgery (PROMOTE Patency Trial) and designing a mechanical heart valve that does not require long-term anticoagulation, which holds both US and Indian patents. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Sajja said, 'I am honored to be invited into Sigma Xi, which represents the highest ideals of scientific inquiry and ethical research. This recognition strengthens my resolve to promote collaborative and patient-centered cardiovascular research from India on a global platform.' Dr. Sajja's induction into Sigma Xi places him among an elite global fraternity of researchers committed to fostering innovation and advancing knowledge for the benefit of humanity. His association with Sigma Xi is also expected to inspire young Indian scientists, clinicians, and students to pursue evidence-based research with international standards. This development is a proud moment for India's scientific community and underscores the growing global recognition of Indian contributions in the fields of medical innovation, clinical research, and translational science.
