Hospitals in India Earn Certification for Advanced Cardiac and Stroke Emergency Care

Four hospitals working to reduce the death rates due to cardiovascular disease and heart attacks in India are now the country’s first to earn certification as American Heart Association Comprehensive Chest Pain Centers.

The Malabar Institute of Medical Sciences Ltd (Aster MIMS) in Calicut, the Apollo Hospital in Hyderabad, the Ramaiah Memorial Hospital in Bengaluru, and the MGM Medical College Hospital in Navi Mumbai join more than a dozen hospitals(link opens in new window) outside the U.S. to receive the designation. It reflects their commitment to delivering evidence-based care that reduces treatment times and improves outcomes for people experiencing chest pain or related cardiac emergencies.

In India, cardiovascular disease accounts for about 36% of all deaths in people ages 30 to 69. The country also has seen a 12.5% increase in heart attack deaths year-over-year, according to the most recent data available.

“These certifications are critical elements to create a regional system of care that seeks to save lives by closing the gaps that delay people experiencing chest pain and heart attacks from timely access to appropriate treatments,” said DP Suresh, M.D., incoming volunteer co-chair of the American Heart Association’s International Committee, a native of India and executive medical director of the Florence Wormald Heart and Vascular Institute at St. Elizabeth Healthcare in Cincinnati. “Recognizing hospitals dedicated to evidence-based treatment allows the Heart Association to advance care quality and support healthier communities worldwide.”

The hospitals earned Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification(link opens in new window) from the American Stroke Association earlier this year. Stroke is the fourth-leading cause of death in India.

Also in July, the American Heart Association honored the four hospitals with International Quality Improvement certification for their quick and precise emergency treatment, especially for life-threatening conditions such as heart attacks, strokes, and acute chest pain.

Visit Chest Pain Certification Details(link opens in new window) for more information about eligibility.