Advice from a Leading Cardiologist: “Don’t Ignore Your Heart”

Sometimes, the thing closest to you is the easiest to ignore. The human body depends on the heart for all of its functions, but many ignore or fail to address their heart health. The National Institute of Health has cited cardiovascular disease as the leading cause of mortality across the globe. Even in nonlethal cases, cardiovascular disease can have long-lasting effects on an individual’s health and quality of life. Amidst this global health crisis, one physician is making great strides to promote heart health across his patients and communities. Dr. Padmanabhan Priyesh, MD, a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, employs a preventative and holistic approach to cardiovascular health, helping his patients avoid heart issues before they arise.

Dr. Priyesh has practiced cardiology for eight years, having spent the previous 16 years in total as a primary care physician. In his typical week, Dr. Priyesh takes care of more than 120 patients with varying degrees of complexities, performing advanced and therapeutic procedures. With his background in the Armed Forces Medical College and years of practice, his style of patient care combines military discipline with empathy.

When it comes to heart health, Dr. Priyesh takes a holistic approach. He evaluates each patient’s unique situation and background, making recommendations based on diet, physical activity, family history, and stress evaluation that are personalized to the individual. Above all, Dr. Priyesh prioritizes prevention. Throughout his years as a Cardiologist, he has advocated for regular exams, cholesterol checks, and stress tests to diagnose cardiovascular problems before they manifest.

One of the greatest challenges that Dr. Priyesh faces as a doctor is convincing his younger patients to pay attention to their heart health. “People in their 40’s and 50’s are usually in good health and don’t pay much attention to their cardiovascular risk,” he states. For these patients, he stresses the need for early testing of important factors such as cholesterol levels and calcium scores. With better data about their personal health, his patients can address potential heart issues before they even occur.

For his efforts in providing empathetic care for his patients, Dr. Priyesh has been honored with the Jordan B Feldman Award for Medical Humanism. He aspires to continue with this important work in cardiovascular prevention. “All of us know of friends and family who have had heart problems and sometimes we wonder what are our chances of having something like that,” he states. Through better education and advanced diagnostic methods, he hopes to make cardiovascular disease a less pervasive issue across our communities. His military discipline and medical expertise have served as a foundation for a holistic approach to health that can reduce morbidity and mortality, applying lifestyle changes and advanced medical evaluations.

For those who aspire to live long and healthy lives, Dr. Priyesh advises this: “However healthy you may consider yourself, never ignore your cardiovascular risk. Your heart is central to your life and daily activities; make sure to give it the care and attention it needs.”

Where other cardiologists are focused on repair and recovery, Dr. Priyesh’s practice prioritizes raising awareness about heart health and active prevention. As with any branch of the medical field, seeing your cardiologist regularly can lead to healthier habits and a more sustainable routine, helping you avoid significant problems later in life.