Category: health awareness

Apollo Hospitals Bengaluru Becomes First in India to Earn Dual AHA Certifications for Stroke and Heart Attack Care

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Bengaluru, June 30: Apollo Hospitals, Bengaluru, has become the first hospital in India to receive dual certifications from the American Heart Association (AHA) as a Comprehensive Stroke Center and a Comprehensive Chest Pain Center, reinforcing its capabilities in managing two of the country’s most critical medical emergencies.

The recognition follows an independent and rigorous assessment of the hospital’s ability to provide rapid, coordinated and evidence-based care for patients suffering from stroke and acute heart attacks—from the moment they arrive at the emergency department through diagnosis, intervention and intensive care.

The achievement comes at a time when cardiovascular diseases and stroke continue to pose a major public health challenge in India. Stroke is the country’s fourth leading cause of death and the fifth leading cause of disability, while cardiovascular disease accounts for nearly 36 per cent of deaths among adults aged 30 to 69 years.
In Karnataka alone, an estimated five lakh people are living with the effects of stroke, placing a considerable burden on the healthcare system. Meanwhile, the Apollo Hospitals Health of the Nation 2026 report revealed that 45 per cent of symptom-free individuals who underwent coronary calcium scoring already showed signs of coronary artery calcification, underlining the silent progression of heart disease before it manifests as a medical emergency.

The AHA certifications evaluate the preparedness of an entire hospital rather than individual departments. The assessment focuses on how efficiently emergency physicians, neurologists, cardiologists, radiologists, interventional specialists, intensive care teams and nursing staff work together through standardised treatment protocols to ensure timely diagnosis and intervention when every minute can determine survival and recovery.

Speaking on the achievement, D.P. Suresh, M.D., FAHA, Incoming Chair of the American Heart Association’s International Committee, said timely diagnosis and coordinated treatment are crucial for patients experiencing stroke or acute heart attacks. He noted that the AHA certification recognises hospitals that consistently meet internationally accepted standards of emergency care and said Apollo Hospitals, Bengaluru, had successfully fulfilled the stringent requirements for both certifications.

Dr. A.N. Venkatesh, Senior Consultant, Head and Regional Director, Emergency Departments, Apollo Hospitals Karnataka, said treating stroke and heart attack patients demands rapid clinical decision-making, clearly defined treatment pathways and seamless collaboration among multiple specialties. He said the recognition reflects years of strengthening emergency response systems to ensure patients receive timely and appropriate care.

The Comprehensive Stroke Center certification acknowledges hospitals capable of handling complex stroke cases through advanced neuroimaging, specialised neurological expertise, emergency interventions and round-the-clock monitoring. The Comprehensive Chest Pain Center certification recognises hospitals that can quickly identify and treat acute coronary syndromes, including ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), where restoring blood flow without delay is essential.

Akshay Oleti, CEO, Apollo Hospitals Karnataka Region, said modern healthcare excellence depends not only on medical expertise but also on the strength of clinical systems and organisational readiness. He said benchmarking against globally recognised standards drives continuous quality improvement, enhances consistency in patient care and strengthens the hospital’s ability to respond effectively during life-threatening emergencies.

The American Heart Association’s certification programmes encourage hospitals worldwide to adopt internationally benchmarked protocols for managing stroke and cardiac emergencies by assessing emergency preparedness, multidisciplinary coordination, clinical governance and continuous quality improvement, ultimately helping improve patient outcomes when every second counts.

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Belly Fat Isn’t Just About Diet-Stress Matters Too

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How Chronic Stress Leads to Stubborn Belly Fat

Dr. Aravinda S. N., Lead Consultant -Internal Medicine, Aster RV Hospital, Bengaluru

Chronic stress does more than affect mental well-being-it can also influence where the body stores fat, with the abdomen being one of the most common areas. According to Dr. Aravinda S. N., prolonged stress triggers the continuous release of cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone. While cortisol plays an essential role in helping the body respond to challenging situations, persistently high levels can disrupt normal metabolism and encourage fat accumulation around the waist.

One of the key reasons for this is cortisol’s effect on appetite. Elevated cortisol often increases cravings for calorie-dense foods rich in sugar and unhealthy fats. Many people also turn to emotional eating during stressful periods, seeking temporary comfort through food. Over time, this leads to excess calorie intake and weight gain, particularly around the midsection.

Long-term stress also affects the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar. High cortisol levels can reduce insulin sensitivity, making it harder for cells to use glucose effectively. As insulin levels rise, the body is more likely to store fat-especially visceral fat, the deep abdominal fat surrounding vital organs. Unlike fat beneath the skin, visceral fat is strongly associated with an increased risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and other metabolic disorders.

Stress often disrupts healthy lifestyle habits as well. Poor sleep, reduced physical activity, irregular meal timings, and increased alcohol consumption are common during prolonged periods of stress, further contributing to abdominal weight gain and making it more difficult to lose belly fat.

Managing stress is therefore an important part of maintaining overall health. Regular exercise, adequate sleep, mindfulness practices, balanced nutrition, and strong social support can help regulate cortisol levels and improve metabolic health. Although stress is not the only cause of belly fat, effectively managing it can make achieving and maintaining a healthy waistline significantly easier.

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One in Three Indians May Be Affected by Allergic Rhinitis as Allergy and Gut Health Disorders Rise in Bengaluru: Dr. Kushal Banerjee

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Bengaluru, June 17: Allergies and gut health disorders are emerging as major public health concerns in Bengaluru, driven by rapid urbanisation, environmental pollution and changing lifestyles, according to leading homeopathic physician and researcher Dr. Kushal Banerjee.

Highlighting the growing health burden ahead of World Allergy Week, Dr. Banerjee noted that allergic rhinitis now affects nearly 20–30 per cent of Indians, with residents of metropolitan cities such as Bengaluru particularly vulnerable due to prolonged exposure to air pollution, pollen, dust and other environmental allergens.

Bengaluru’s rapid urban expansion, increasing vehicular emissions, year-round pollen exposure and ongoing construction activities have created conditions that can aggravate allergic and respiratory illnesses. Healthcare experts believe that climate change, deteriorating air quality and evolving lifestyle patterns are contributing to a steady rise in chronic allergies and gastrointestinal disorders among urban populations.

Studies indicate that nearly 55 per cent of employees experience symptoms of allergic rhinitis and spend an average of 52.5 days annually dealing with the condition. Beyond sneezing, nasal congestion and itchy eyes, persistent allergies can lead to fatigue, sleep disturbances, poor concentration and reduced workplace productivity. In a city known for its large professional workforce, such health issues can have a significant impact on daily life and work performance.

Respiratory illnesses also continue to pose a major challenge. India is estimated to have over 34 million asthma patients, making it one of the countries with the highest asthma burden globally. Experts estimate that asthma results in an annual economic burden of nearly ₹71 billion through healthcare costs and productivity losses.

Research further suggests that allergy-related presenteeism can reduce workplace productivity by an average of 2.3 hours per day.
At the same time, gut health disorders are becoming increasingly common among urban residents. Conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), lactose intolerance, chronic constipation and functional diarrhoea are affecting quality of life and overall well-being.

Specialists attribute the trend to factors such as stress, dietary changes, sedentary lifestyles and disrupted daily routines.
“Environmental allergies and gut health disorders are no longer isolated health concerns. They affect productivity, mental well-being, sleep quality and overall quality of life,” said Dr. Kushal Banerjee. “In fast-growing urban centres like Bengaluru, environmental and lifestyle factors are contributing to a rising disease burden. Greater awareness, early intervention and patient-centric healthcare approaches are essential.”

Emphasising the importance of informed healthcare choices, Dr. Banerjee said patients today are increasingly seeking treatment options that align with their long-term health goals and personal preferences.
“As healthcare providers, we must encourage informed decision-making, respect patient autonomy and continue supporting scientific inquiry across different therapeutic disciplines to improve patient outcomes,” he added.

Experts believe that greater public awareness about environmental triggers, preventive measures, healthy lifestyle practices and timely medical intervention can play a crucial role in reducing the growing burden of allergy and digestive disorders in Bengaluru and other urban centres across the country.

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India Facing Dangerous Rise in Tobacco-Related Non-Lung Cancers

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India’s Hidden Tobacco Cancer Crisis: Doctors Warn of Surge in Non-Lung Cancers, Including Cases Among Teenagers

Bengaluru, May 29: Even as lung cancer continues to dominate public awareness around tobacco-related illnesses, oncologists and public health experts are cautioning that India is witnessing a sharp rise in several other aggressive cancers linked to tobacco use, many of which remain under-recognised.

Speaking ahead of World No Tobacco Day, specialists at Sammprada Hospital, Bengaluru, said tobacco consumption is now associated with nearly 25 to 30 different forms of cancer, including cancers of the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, kidney, bladder and liver. Doctors also expressed concern over a growing number of younger patients being diagnosed with tobacco-related cancers.

According to the experts, head and neck cancers have emerged as one of the most common tobacco-associated cancers in India after lung cancer, driven by both smoking and smokeless tobacco consumption.

The doctors revealed that they are increasingly encountering aggressive cancers among adolescents and young adults. They cited the recent treatment of a 16-year-old patient diagnosed with tobacco-linked head and neck cancer, calling it a disturbing indication of early tobacco exposure among youth.

Global cancer studies estimate that tobacco contributes to nearly one-third of all cancer-related deaths worldwide. India continues to carry one of the highest burdens of tobacco use, particularly smokeless tobacco, which significantly increases the risk of oral and head and neck cancers.

Dr. Radheshyam Naik, Founder, Medical Director and Head of Medical Oncology, Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit at Sammprada Hospital, said tobacco exposure was no longer confined to lung cancer alone.
“We are seeing increasing numbers of esophageal, pancreatic, bladder, stomach and liver cancers directly linked to tobacco use. Many of these cancers are detected at advanced stages and tend to be highly aggressive,” he said.

Dr. Naik added that the younger age at which people are initiating tobacco use is becoming a major public health concern.
“The case of a 16-year-old with tobacco-related head and neck cancer should be a wake-up call for parents, schools and policymakers,” he said.

Doctors noted that cancers associated with tobacco use are often more difficult to manage clinically. Dr. Vinod Ramani, Consultant in Cancer Prevention and Preventive Oncology at Sammprada Hospital, said tobacco users face higher risks of treatment complications, recurrence and even secondary cancers.

“Smoking affects wound healing after surgery, increases infection risks and can reduce the effectiveness of cancer treatment. Outcomes are often poorer compared to patients without tobacco exposure,” he explained.

Highlighting the broader health impact of tobacco, Dr. P.S. Prabhakaran, former Vice-Chancellor of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences and former Director of Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, said tobacco significantly damages the cardiovascular system as well.
“It raises the risk of heart attacks, strokes and vascular complications. When cancer treatment is added to an already compromised system, the risks increase substantially,” he said.
Public health experts also warned against the widespread misconception that moderate tobacco use is relatively harmless.

Dr. K. Prabhakara Rao, a tobacco control expert, said there is effectively no safe level of tobacco exposure.
“The risks depend on the age at which tobacco use begins, the duration of use and the intensity of exposure. Early initiation substantially increases lifetime cancer risk,” he said.

Experts further pointed to the growing incidence of less-discussed tobacco-related cancers such as pancreatic, kidney and bladder cancers, as well as Acute Myeloid Leukemia, urging greater public awareness beyond the conventional focus on lung disease.

They called for stronger tobacco control measures, wider screening programmes and targeted interventions aimed at preventing tobacco initiation among young people.

“Many people still assume that avoiding lung disease means tobacco use is manageable. That assumption is dangerously misleading. Tobacco affects nearly every organ system and remains one of the leading preventable causes of cancer,” Dr. Naik said.

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A Stranger’s Gift of Life: Stem Cell Donor Rescues Teen

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Bengaluru Woman Donates Stem Cells, Saves Teen Battling Rare Blood Disorder

Bengaluru, March 12, 2026: A 32-year-old woman from Kumta has given a new lease of life to a teenager suffering from a rare and life-threatening blood disorder, after donating her blood stem cells through a national donor registry.
Swathi, an IT consultant, recently met 19-year-old Anandu for the first time after her stem cell donation helped cure him of severe aplastic anaemia — a condition in which the bone marrow fails to produce enough blood cells.

Anandu’s health crisis began when he was 15 and studying in Class 10. He had been experiencing persistent fever following a dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, which led doctors to investigate further. Tests eventually revealed that he had severe aplastic anaemia, a potentially fatal disorder requiring urgent treatment.

Doctors treating him recommended a blood stem cell transplant, considered the only curative option for the disease. His physician, Dr V.P. Krishnan, consultant in paediatric haemato-oncology and bone marrow transplant at MVR Cancer Centre and Research Institute in Kozhikode, initiated a search for a suitable donor.

Finding a matching donor proved challenging, and the family went through a difficult period marked by emotional and financial stress. The transplant was eventually made possible with support from the DKMS Patient Funding Programme India, which provides partial financial assistance to patients undergoing stem cell transplantation.

Anandu underwent a matched unrelated donor transplant in early 2023. According to Dr Krishnan, the recovery phase included expected complications such as febrile neutropenia and mucositis, but his overall progress remained positive.
“His blood counts stabilised well after the transplant and donor chimerism levels are good. Today he is healthy, attending college and preparing for his Class 12 board examinations,” the doctor said.

Meanwhile, Swathi had first registered as a potential stem cell donor in 2016 during a donor recruitment drive organised at her workplace by DKMS. Six years later, in 2022, she received a call informing her that she was a potential match for a patient in need. Without hesitation, she agreed to donate.

Her decision was strongly supported by her family, including her husband. Swathi says the experience became even more meaningful when she later became a mother herself.
“Now that I have a baby boy, I understand even more deeply what parents go through when their child is suffering. Being able to help save a life feels incredibly special,” she said.

Health experts say such acts of voluntary donation are crucial, as the chances of finding a matching donor remain low in India. Patrick Paul, Executive Chairman of DKMS India, said that only about 0.09% of the country’s eligible population is currently registered as potential blood stem cell donors.

“In Karnataka alone, more than 49,000 individuals have registered as potential donors, with around 38,000 from Bengaluru. Stories like Swathi and Anandu’s highlight the lifesaving impact of donor registration and the urgent need for more volunteers,” he said.

Dr Govind Eriat, consultant haemato-oncologist and bone marrow transplant specialist at Cytecare Hospitals in Bengaluru, said that for patients with severe aplastic anaemia, a stem cell transplant can often be the only curative treatment.

“Finding a compatible donor remains one of the biggest challenges. Anandu’s recovery shows the resilience of patients and families facing such illnesses, while Swathi’s generosity demonstrates how a single decision can give someone a second chance at life,” he said.

Individuals aged between 18 and 55 years who are in good health, have a body mass index below 40 and are not already registered can sign up as potential blood stem cell donors through the DKMS registry.

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