Need to train more skilled cardiovascular technologists to meet rising cardiac care demand: C.N. Manjunath

India must train more skilled cardiovascular technologists to meet the growing demand for cardiac care as the burden of heart disease continues to rise, Bengaluru Rural MP and Padma Shri awardee C.N. Manjunath said on Saturday (July 11, 2026).

Speaking at the inaugural session of ICVT LIVE 2026, organised by the Society of Indian Cardiovascular Technologists in Bengaluru, Dr. Manjunath said cardiovascular technologists play a pivotal role in ensuring the success of both diagnostic and interventional cardiac procedures. Dr. Manjunath formerly headed the State-run Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences.

“Cardiologists are the heart of cardiac care, but cardiovascular technologists are its brain,” he said, underscoring the need to strengthen the workforce in this specialised field.

He said that cardiovascular technologists work in catheterisation laboratories (cath labs), assisting cardiologists during procedures such as coronary angiography, angioplasty, stent implantation, device closures, pacemaker implantation, balloon valvuloplasty and transcatheter valve replacement.

In the young

Dr. Manjunath warned that heart attacks were increasingly affecting younger people, particularly those in the 25-45 age group, making preventive healthcare, early diagnosis and timely treatment more important than ever.

He also called for strengthening cardiac care infrastructure, pointing out that while India currently has around 4,200 catheterisation laboratories, the country requires nearly 6,500, particularly in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities where access to specialised cardiac care remains limited.

Advocating the Hub-and-Spoke model of healthcare, he said advanced cardiac centres should support peripheral hospitals through a robust referral network so that patients in rural and remote areas can access timely treatment.