The panel discussion at BEAT 2025: National Cardiovascular Summit and Awards “Inside the Smart Hospital: Technology, Devices & AI Redefining Preventive Cardiology,” moderated by Rajnish Srivastava, General Manager - Cardiology, Poly Medicure Ltd, brought together leading cardiologists and healthcare leaders to explore the evolving role of technology in cardiac care. Experts emphasized that while AI, digital therapeutics, and wearable devices are revolutionizing diagnostics and personalized treatment, the human touch, clinical judgment, and ethical care remain irreplaceable. From predictive AI analyzing ECGs to smart devices alerting emergency teams, the session highlighted how technology and human expertise must work hand-in-hand to advance preventive cardiology.
Upasana Arora, Managing Director , Yashoda Medicity, said, “When we talk about the growing role of AI in healthcare, I believe that the vision of a leader is always reflected in their institution. AI can certainly take over many operational aspects; for instance, we are working with O Health, whose software helps record patients’ symptoms and supports doctors in diagnosis. However, no technology can replace the presence of a doctor. When a doctor places a comforting hand on a patient’s head and says, “Everything will be alright,” that reassurance carries an emotional strength no machine can replicate. While digitisation is advancing rapidly in India and across the world, the human touch must never be lost. My philosophy revolves around the three H’s — Head, Heart, and Hand. The Head represents honesty and integrity; I have never asked my doctors to meet revenue targets, only to provide genuine care. The Heart stands for compassion, the Hand symbolises skill, and I take pride in having some of the most capable doctors on my team. AI and technology will continue to evolve, but human empathy and ethical intent will always remain at the core of healthcare.”
Dr. Ajay Kohli, Director – Delhi-NCR Cluster & Corporate Growth Initiatives, North India, Narayana Health, stated, “Digital transformation is happening all around us, and in healthcare, three things are essential for its full adoption: ecosystem, technology, and people.
India’s ecosystem is strong—affordable data and platforms like WhatsApp and UPI have made digital tools accessible. Technology is critical, and solution selection must match India’s diverse healthcare landscape. At Narayana Group, we’ve developed our own HIA system over 15 years with input from doctors, nurses, and clinicians, ensuring practical, user-focused solutions.
People remain the biggest challenge. Unlike personal apps, healthcare tools must benefit others, which requires bridging mindsets across a highly varied workforce. AI is helping, for example, by predicting heart failure from ECG data, making adoption easier.
While adoption isn’t yet 100%, aligning ecosystem, technology, and people—and leveraging innovations like AI—is paving the way for meaningful digital transformation in healthcare.”
Dr. Balbir Singh, Group Chairman - Cardiac Sciences, Pan Max & Chief of Interventional Cardiology and Electrophysiology, Max Hospital, Saket, stated, “Over the past decade, medical technology has advanced tremendously—though AI represents the next, still-evolving chapter. These innovations have made life easier for both doctors and patients, reducing complication rates and improving treatment precision. For instance, we recently treated a 97-year-old man with a heart condition who recovered fully within a day—something unimaginable ten years ago. This growing confidence among patients and doctors stems from better technology and outcomes.
AI, however, is just beginning to show its potential. Research at Stanford has shown that AI can analyze ECGs to detect heart issues that appear normal to physicians, even predicting problems years before they arise. Similar progress has been made using AI to interpret X-rays and estimate a patient’s biological age and longevity. We’re only scratching the surface—AI could soon guide procedures, read scans, or even assist robotic surgeries.
Digital therapeutics, too, are transforming healthcare. Wearables like smartwatches already collect vital health data and can detect irregular heart rhythms. In the future, these devices could automatically alert nearby emergency teams during a cardiac event, saving lives. Apple’s work on detecting atrial fibrillation is just the beginning—the real potential of AI and digital health lies far beyond what we can imagine today.”
Dr. Sameer Gupta, Senior Interventional Cardiologist, Group Head emphasised, “Cardiac Cath Lab; Director, Metro Group of Hospitals Let’s step back and see how medicine has evolved. Earlier, people visited doctors only when they were ill — a reactive approach. Later, we identified risk factors and introduced screening guidelines like mammograms after 40 or vaccines for those above 65. That was healthcare at a population level.
Now, the focus is shifting toward personalization. Just like cars moved from repair-after-failure to scheduled maintenance, healthcare is moving toward predictive, individualized care. With genetics and AI, we can now use tools that predict risks — like AI analyzing an ECG to foresee cardiac arrest or an X-ray to estimate diabetes risk.
From memorizing treatments in medical school to accessing data on desktops and now smartphones, I’ve seen how technology has simplified medicine. With AI, we’re only at the beginning — this is just version 5 of ChatGPT. The future versions will revolutionize how we practice medicine. AI won’t replace doctors, but doctors who don’t use AI might be left behind.”
Dr. Tarun Kumar, Senior Director Medanta Moolchand Heart Centre - Cardiology said, “As a medical student and a cardiologist, I’ve witnessed tremendous advancements in medicine. Science evolves every day—new machines, devices, sensors, and patient-centric treatments emerge constantly.
However, whenever a new technology appears, we must first evaluate the evidence. Are there randomized controlled trials? Peer-reviewed data? Can it be applied safely to the general population? Cost-effectiveness is also critical, especially in a developing country with limited resources. We need treatments that truly benefit patients, simplify care, and help doctors grow into more skilled and intelligent practitioners.
Whenever I consider new technology, I ask: Is there evidence? Is it safe? Will my patients benefit? Is it cost-effective? If it meets these criteria, I am willing to adopt it.
Regarding digital therapeutics, everything comes with hype. Tools like ChatGPT can help, but the output depends on how you use them. They require a sound mind to interpret and apply correctly. Technology can assist a good doctor, but it can never replace clinical judgment. A skilled, thoughtful doctor remains paramount.”