Oldest Cardiologist in the World (2024)

Cardiologists are among the most important kinds of doctors in the world, because they treat one of the human body’s most vital organs. Over the years, the science of medicine has seen hundreds of doctors invent and discover new ways of taking care of one’s health. In this article, we’re going to look more closely at some of the world’s oldest cardiologists. These doctors have worked tirelessly and treated thousands of patients in their respective countries. Let’s take a closer look at them, and what makes them special. 

4 Oldest Cardiologists

4. Dr. S. I. Padmavati

Photo Source: Indiatimes.com

Before she died, Dr. S. I. Padmavati was the oldest cardiologist in the world. Through her work as a cardiologist, Dr. Padmavati worked as the director of the National Heart Institute, Delhi. She was also the founder of the All India Heart Foundation! She got her MBBS at a university in Rangoon, Myanmar, where she grew up, and later earned an FRCP from the Royal College of Physicians. She continued her studies in the UK, then moved to Sweden to learn more about cardiology.

Did you know? 

In addition to her sky-high list of achievements, Dr. Padmavati was the first female cardiologist in India. She was also the first person to set up a cardiac clinic and a cardiac catheter lab in India.

3. Bernard Lown

Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons

Dr. Bernard Lown was one of the world’s oldest cardiologists until his passing in 2021. At 99 years old, Dr. Lown was known for his skills as a cardiologist and an inventor! He invented the direct current defibrillator that is used to shock and resuscitate the heart during an attack, and he also invented the cardioverter that works to resolve disordered rhythms in the heart.

Throughout the course of his career, Dr. Lown remained focused on various challenges but spent most of his time on two things. One of them was how psychological stress affects the heart and cardiovascular system, and the other was the causes behind sudden death from a cardiac attack. His focus and determination to succeed led him to achieve multiple medical breakthroughs, and his work remains a crucial part of medicine even today. 

Did you know? 

Dr. Bernard Lown introduced the world to new methods of using Lidocaine to treat heartbeat problems. 

In the years that followed, Dr. Padmavati was a fellow at Johns Hopkins Hospital, a student of Harvard Medical School, and lectured at various colleges across India. She was awarded a Padma Bhushan award in 1967 and a Padma Vibhushan in 1992.

2. Dr. Eugene Braunwald

Photo Source: Acc.org

Dr. Eugene Braunwald is another one of the oldest cardiologists in the world. He was born in Vienna but later moved to America to study medicine. After studying at New York University, he completed his residency at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. His interest in cardiology began after he started practicing at the Bellevue Cardiology Clinic while he was still a student.

Over the years, Dr. Braunwald worked as the chief of cardiology at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health. He also served as the Chair of the Department of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. He has won several awards, and published over 1000 papers in various medical journals.

Did you know? 

Dr. Eugene Braunwald was married to Dr. Nina Starr. She was known for being a thoracic surgeon and researcher, as well as one of the first women in medical history to perform an open heart surgery.

1. Dr. Charles Toh Chai

Photo Source: Channelnewsasia.com

Dr. Charles Toh Chai is one of the world’s oldest cardiologists. He has been practicing medicine for over 50 years now, and at 93, doesn’t show any signs of wanting to stop or slow down! He still treats patients every day, and has stated multiple times that he does not want to retire from being a doctor.

Dr. Chai’s work as a cardiologist allows him to do more than just treat patients who visit his practice. He also consults on cases that require him to diagnose and treat various cardiac illnesses. It is worth noting that he is not a surgeon; he has stated that if he was a surgeon, he would have been forced to quit practicing medicine a long time ago.

Did you know? 

Dr. Charles Toh Chai is a big believer in sticking to a routine. He often credits his ability to stick to one as the key to his success.

Conclusion 

In this article, we took a closer look at some of the oldest cardiologists in the world. All of the men and women mentioned above have made significant contributions to the world of medicine, and their achievements have led to scientific breakthroughs. We hope that this article inspired you to look more closely at their work, and that you enjoyed reading it.