If you have any heart-related conditions, it is important to find a cardiologist who will guide you through many important decisions over the long term. It is a vital step to make sure you receive superior care and comprehensive treatment through all times. However, this could be a daunting process as you might not even know where to begin. We share some of the important guides that will help in finding the best heart surgeon in Bangalore to treat your conditions.

Get a Referral

A simple referral from your family, friends and other healthcare professionals could go a long way. Your primary care doctor should be able to point you in the right direction as he or she would know the condition of your health better. While your family, friends and colleagues are important people from your circle of trust who will be able to give you trustworthy recommendations. Compile them into a list and fix an appointment with them so you can have a chat and get to know them better.

Research about Cardiologist Experience

Take note of the cardiologist speciality and if it is related to the type of heart problem that you are currently facing. It’s important to choose a cardiologist who is experienced with your specific condition. An experienced cardiologist is more likely to offer effective therapy and produce a better outcome. A highly experienced cardiologist will be able to perform proficiently and take important decisions confidently in difficult situations. Make sure to find out the number of times they’ve performed the procedure and the types of complications they have previously encountered. A cardiologist’s level of experience with a specific technology is also vital.

Quality and Location of Hospital

Keep in mind that you are also choosing your hospital when you choose your cardiologist. So, make sure to take the quality and reputation of the hospital into consideration. A top quality hospital will be able to provide state of the art care for you. Also, take note of the location of the hospital. Since you might need to make several trips for your rehabilitation, pick a hospital that is closer to you. If you live in Bangalore, search for the best heart doctor in Bangalore for greater convenience.

Style of Communication

Effective communication is an essential skill that you should look for in your cardiologist. Pay attention to verbal communication cues such as how he or she greets and welcomes patients. Your cardiologist should be supportive of you and offer you encouraging talk to keep comfortable and motivated. As a cardiologist, it is important to establish a relationship with patients as it eventually paves the way for successful diagnosis and treatment. Your cardiologist’s ability to listen to you and answer your questions patiently is extremely important. He or she should be able to provide you with all the necessary health care information clearly. So, you can understand them easily and be able to make informed decisions for your safety and well being. Your cardiologist should respect and involve you in the decision making process at all times. A cardiologist with advanced communication skills will be able to help you and your family prepare for any difficult situation.

Read Reviews from Patients

Online reviews written by other patients can help you to know better about the cardiologist. You can filter through the information to find more about patients’ experience regarding scheduling appointments, office wait times or parking hassles. As an example, try searching for cardiac surgeons in Bangalore at online medical forums to find out more on a patient’s overall experience. While this step should not be missed, it should only be a small part of your decision making process. This is because there is no guarantee that these reviews contain accurate information. As such it is difficult to assume that the reviews represent how most patients feel.

About Dr. Vithal D Bagi

Dr. Vithal D Bagi is an Interventional Cardiologist and Cardiac Surgeon at Apollo Hospitals Jayanagar and Bannerghatta road. He has more than eight years of experience in this field. He completed his Doctorate of Medicine in Cardiology from SriJayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research in Bengaluru. He later completed his Diplomate of National Board in cardiology at JIPMER in Pondicherry. He is a distinguished member of the Association of Physicians of India (API) and Cardiovascular Society of India (CSI). He has previously authored publications in national and international journals.

Final thoughts

It is your right to choose the best team and hospital to care for you. You need to feel emotionally comfortable with your cardiologist as your relationship with them could last a lifetime. A good cardiologist should possess important qualities such as empathy, courtesy and wisdom. He/she should be ready to listen and uphold professionalism at all times. Most importantly, the hallmark of a good cardiologist is in the ability to instill realistic hope in his patients.