Cardiology, at its core, is the science of understanding the heart and protecting its rhythm, strength, and endurance. In India, this science has become more urgent than ever. Heart diseases now appear earlier, progress faster, and often remain undetected until a crisis strikes.



Even today many families struggle with delayed diagnosis, high treatment costs, and limited awareness. The result shows up in rising cardiac cases across both cities and smaller towns.



This is where initiatives like TOI Medithon step in with a clear purpose. The upcoming Cardio Medithon on March 30, themed “The New Age of Heart Health, Awareness and Action,” aims to bridge the gap between medical expertise and public understanding. Through focused panel discussions, it brings together some of the country’s leading cardiologists to unpack what truly matters for the Indian heart today.



Preventing heart disease : Where the real battle begins



The first session sets the tone with a powerful idea: prevention is still the most effective treatment.



Dr Anil Dhall, MD, DM (Cardiology), Consultant Cardiologist & Program Leader at The Heart Clinic, Gurugram, joins Dr Pratap Kumar Pradhan, Senior Consultant in Interventional Cardiology at Hi Tech Medical College and Hospital, Bhubaneswar, and Dr P. P. Mohammed Musthafa, Chairman & Chief Interventional Cardiologist at Metromed International Cardiac Centre, Calicut.



For this panel the focus remains on why prevention often fails despite growing awareness. Sedentary lifestyles, silent hypertension, and unchecked stress are likely to take centre stage. The discussion may also reflect on how small, consistent lifestyle shifts can reshape long-term heart outcomes.



Life after a heart attack: Rebuilding more than just health



Surviving a heart attack is often seen as the end of danger, but in reality, it marks the beginning of a long recovery journey.



Dr P. V. Girish, Senior Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at Metromed International Cardiac Centre, Calicut, joins D. Ashish Kumar Jha, Chief Interventional Cardiologist & HOD of Cardiology at Heart Hospital, Patna, and Dr B. R. J. Kannan, Director of Cardiology at Vadamalayan Hospital, Madurai.



This session is expected to explore recovery in its fullest sense. Not just medical stabilisation, but emotional healing, lifestyle restructuring, and the fear that lingers after such an event.



Recovery demands active participation, discipline, and continued medical guidance. The conversation may also highlight gaps in post-cardiac care that often go unnoticed in India.



Women and heart health : the risks that stay hidden



Heart disease in women often carries a different story, one that is less recognised and frequently misdiagnosed.



This panel brings together Dr P. Naga Sri Haritha, HOD & Senior Consultant Interventional Cardiologist and Director of Cardiac Sciences at KIMS Hospital, Guntur, Dr Sarita Choudhary, Professor in the Department of Cardiology at SMS Medical College & Hospital, Jaipur, and Dr Hema Malathi Rath, Assistant Professor at NRS Medical College, Kolkata.



The discussion is expected to focus on how symptoms in women can differ from the classic signs seen in men. Fatigue, breathlessness, or even mild discomfort often get overlooked.



The youngest hearts at risk: Gen Z and Gen Alpha



Perhaps the most striking shift in recent years is the age at which heart risks begin to appear. The final session turns attention to younger generations.



Dr P. Arun Prasath, Director of Cardiology at Surendra Multispeciality Hospital, Cuddalore, joins Dr E. Arunachalam, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist and Director of Cardiology at Aruna Cardiac Care, Tirunelveli, and Dr Harikrishnan P, Senior Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at Apollo Speciality Hospitals, Chennai.



This panel is expected to examine how lifestyle patterns, screen time, poor sleep, processed diets, and high stress, are quietly shaping heart health much earlier in life.



What stands out here is the shift in narrative. Heart care is no longer something to think about after 40. It is becoming a conversation that starts in the teenage years, sometimes even earlier.



TOI Medithon is not just another health event. It attempts to close a very real gap between medical knowledge and everyday understanding.



In a system where access remains uneven, awareness becomes a powerful tool. When people understand symptoms early, recognise risks, and seek timely help, outcomes improve significantly.