Healthcare systems should create a standard protocol for gender-specific screening methods

Many semi-urban and tier-2/3 regions still lack consistent cardiac diagnostic infrastructure. What steps are needed to strengthen early detection capabilities in these geographies?

As per the report of The Lancet Global Health, cardiovascular diseases account for nearly 28 per cent of deaths in India, highlighting the urgent need to strengthen early detection systems, especially in tier-2, tier-3, and semi-urban regions where specialist cardiac infrastructure remains limited.

In order to improve the ability to identify cardiology issues in tier 2, 3 and semi-urban areas, the following measures could be effective:

• General practitioners should have access to portable ECG systems, artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled diagnostic applications, and other connected diagnostic tools to help identify abnormalities at an early stage.
• Cardiologists should be able to remotely access this data through telecardiology platforms, allowing them to guide primary care doctors on necessary interventions and the next steps for patients.
• Diagnostic capabilities must be moved closer to the primary care level, where most patients first seek medical attention, especially through remote consultations, which will enable earlier screening and timely treatment/referrals if required.

Cardiovascular disease in women often goes underdiagnosed due to atypical symptoms. How can healthcare providers and health systems build more gender-sensitive screening and management protocols?

Cardiovascular disease in women is often underdiagnosed because symptoms can differ from the classic presentation seen in men. Women will experience things like fatigue, being out of breath, nausea and back discomfort, instead of the severe chest pain that men normally exhibit and ignore these symptoms casually, thus delaying the diagnosis.

Healthcare systems should create a standard protocol for gender-specific screening methods, with accompanying risk factor documentation, including hypertension due to pregnancy, gestational diabetes, and menopause. Digital health platforms can support this by continuously tracking health data, which in the long term can be used for regular checkups.

Primary care physicians are often the first point of contact for cardiac patients. How can stronger integration between primary care and cardiology improve early diagnosis and referral pathways?

Primary care physicians play a critical role in early cardiac detection because they are usually the first point of contact for patients. Unfortunately, they may not be able to spot early symptoms without help from diagnostic tools or a cardiology specialist.

A stronger model involves equipping GP clinics with IoT-enabled ECG and digital screening, which has the potential to deliver comprehensive cardiac assessments at the point of care. With the patient data collected as a result of this provision, doctors can share the data through telecardiology platforms with Cardiology physicians for clinical review.

In this way, a clear pathway for referral is established that allows for a faster intervention. When cardiology and primary care share an integrated network, patients have a much higher success rate of receiving early diagnosis and preventative healthcare.

With the rise of wearable devices and IoT-enabled monitoring, how do you see real-time cardiac data reshaping preventive cardiology and long-term disease management?

Wearables and IoT-enabled monitoring, like remote ECG, are shifting cardiology from episodic care to continuous observation. Many cardiac conditions develop gradually and may not appear during occasional hospital visits. Connected devices allow clinicians to track patterns in heart rhythm, blood pressure, and activity levels over time.

The use of connected devices gives clinicians the ability to identify the risk earlier, even before symptoms appear. A study published in PubMed Central shows that remote patient monitoring can improve chronic disease management and reduce hospital readmissions when combined with clinical oversight. The real value lies in combining real-time data with expert interpretation to enable more proactive and personalised cardiac care.

How is Heartnet India leveraging telecardiology and digital tools to improve access to cardiac care, especially in underserved regions?

Heartnet India’s approach is built around ensuring that cardiac expertise is not restricted by geography. The platform integrates IoT-enabled diagnostic devices, telecardiology consultations, and cloud-based patient records to connect primary care clinics with cardiologists.

In addition, Heartnet India launched initiatives such as Hridaya, where nearly 700–800 ASHA workers and self-help group members were trained in ECG screening and IoT-enabled monitoring in Moyna, West Bengal. The initiative aimed to improve access to cardiac screening in underserved regions while strengthening awareness and early detection of heart health risks, particularly among women.

Patients visiting GP clinics can undergo ECG screening and cardiac assessments, with the data transmitted securely for specialist interpretation. This allows individuals in semi-urban regions to access expert cardiology guidance without travelling to any major hospitals. Telecardiology also supports post-treatment monitoring and rehabilitation, helping clinicians track recovery and intervene early if complications arise.

What role does Heartnet India see for itself in building a more integrated continuum of cardiac care—from screening and diagnosis to long-term monitoring and rehabilitation?

Heartnet India aims to build a connected cardiac care ecosystem that covers the entire continuum, from early screening to long-term monitoring. The process begins with primary care screening using IoT-enabled diagnostic tools that help identify cardiac risk earlier.

Cardiologists are connected to patients who require more in-depth evaluation via telecardiology networks. Once patients receive treatment, digital monitoring systems are designed to assist in recovery and rehabilitation through tracking both vital signs and the patient’s progress throughout recovery. Heartnet India intends to bring a shift in cardiac care in India by creating a digital framework that integrates screening, diagnosis, monitoring, and rehabilitation, allowing for the transition from reactive treatment to continuous prevention and management.

Kalyani Sharma

[email protected]

[email protected]