Jubilee Hills facility becomes one of India’s first to receive the American Heart Association’s Comprehensive Chest Pain Center Certification.

Apollo Hospitals, located in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, has significantly advanced the field of emergency cardiac care in India by becoming one of the first hospitals nationwide to attain the American Heart Association's (AHA) highest-level Comprehensive Chest Pain Center Certification. The certification, awarded to hospitals that meet the most rigorous international standards for rapid, evidence-based treatment of chest pain and acute heart attacks, puts the Hyderabad facility on the global map of frontline cardiac responders.

This recognition comes at a time when cardiovascular disease remains the top killer both globally and in India. According to experts, nearly 36% of adult deaths in India, particularly among people aged 30 to 69, are due to heart-related conditions, a figure higher than the global average of 32%.

Dr. D.P. Suresh, who will soon take on the role of volunteer co-chair for the AHA’s International Committee, stated, “This certification demonstrates that Apollo Hospitals Jubilee Hills is dedicated to offering cardiac care on a par with the best in the world”. “They have consistently demonstrated excellence in delivering time-sensitive interventions that save lives.”

The AHA’s Comprehensive Chest Pain Center Certification acknowledges hospitals that are capable of managing the full spectrum of chest pain cases, including high-risk, life-threatening events like ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI). The recognition also evaluates system-wide readiness, from triage to emergency PCI (Percutaneous Coronary Intervention), ensuring patients receive critical treatment in the shortest possible time.

Dr Imron Subhan, head of emergency medicine at Apollo Hyderabad, said the hospital’s protocols ensure swift identification and treatment of cardiac emergencies. “This certification signals our capability to deliver rapid and reliable care, from first response to cath lab intervention,” he noted.

Apollo’s cardiology wing in Jubilee Hills follows a stringent acute myocardial infarction (MI) protocol aimed at reducing treatment delays. Dr. Manoj Agarwal, a senior consultant cardiologist, stated that the hospital’s “Door-to-Balloon” (D2B) time, which denotes the duration between a patient’s arrival and the initiation of a PCI procedure, has been brought down to under 60 minutes. This is well ahead of the global benchmark of 90 minutes set by the American College of Cardiology.

Tejesvi Rao, CEO of Apollo Hospitals for the Telangana region, called the recognition “a step forward in India’s fight against heart disease,” adding that the certification validates Apollo’s investments in technology, clinical training, and adherence to international protocols.