Aparajita Das, M.D., Uses Supply vs. Demand Credo in her Role as a Noninterventional Cardiologist

AparajitaDasAs the new noninterventional cardiologist, Aparajita Das, M.D., helps patients nip heart-related problems in the bud in the Franciscan St. Anthony Health-Michigan City system.

Dr. Das, who is board certified, recently began offering services, including stress testing, at Coolspring Health Center, 1225 Coolspring Ave., Suite 400, Michigan City; and at Franciscan Omni Health & Fitness, 810 Michael Drive, Suite A, Chesterton.

“Noninterventional cardiology is more about preventative care,” Dr. Das said, adding, “We diagnose and treat problems to help people avoid having to go to the hospital where they would need intervention.”

Dr. Das said her duties include performing noninvasive risk modifications (she specializes in echocardiogram and nuclear medicine) to determine types of heart problems, without the patient needing cath-lab attention. Risk profiles help decide whether a patient needs further testing and the type. Those determined to be at higher risk are sent to a cath lab for further evaluation.

“We can treat heart failure and abnormal heart beats with medication. We can diagnose valve problems and often are asked to be present at surgeries to make sure the right types of valves are used and are placed and working properly. We also manage patients pre- and post-op depending on need,” Dr. Das said, adding she is the lone noninterventional cardiologist in the Franciscan St. Anthony Health-Michigan City system.

Dr. Das, who said she knew “when I was 2” that she wanted to be a physician, said she specializes in the heart because, “not only does it have a romantic association, but it is vital to the body – nothing functions properly without it.”

She finds fascinating the heart’s intricate regulation of blood allocation to various areas of the body and how it adjusts to problems.

Dr. Das, who also has a master’s of business administration degree and majored in economics, adopts the supply versus demand credo to her medical practice.

“Where the blood goes is a matter of supply and demand. We have to think through why there is a problem and can change it if it’s caught early enough. As an example, high blood pressure can be caused by a number of factors and can indicate a problem elsewhere in the body,“ since one thing can affect something else.”

Dr. Das said she encourages communication with colleagues and patients.

“I’m all about helping people, taking good care of patients, and want them and other physicians to interact with me – to call me with questions. It’s all a learning process; in time, everything improves.”

She believes in aggressively treating problems “upfront, rather than down the road.”

Dr. Das can be reached at (219) 879-6531.