TAKE 5 with Pratik Desai, MD, FACC, Interventional Cardiologist

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I was born and raised in India in the western state of Gujarat. I came to the United States after medical school and completed my residency at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond (now known as VCU). My parents were both physicians, so I grew up with a constant connection to the field of medicine. As a kid, when my parents asked me what I wanted to do when I grew up, I told them I wanted to become a locomotive driver because that felt exciting and I love trains. But, as I got older, I felt drawn to medicine. So by the time I was in high school, I decided I wanted to be a doctor.

Q: Why did you choose the field of interventional cardiology as your specialty? 

During my first year in medical school, I became fascinated by cardiovascular physiology – I was instantly connected with it. And, I found the world of interventional cardiology just amazing – it was evolving so quickly with the placement of stents, new medications and therapies.

Q: A significant portion of your practice focuses on treating vein and vascular disease – why are you so passionate about this subspecialty area?

For many years, I felt like patients with circulatory problems were being overlooked. They’d complain of leg pain, but wouldn’t get the diagnosis or treatments they needed. Fortunately, awareness and treatments for vein and vascular disease evolved quickly, and continue to do so. Today, we have a whole range of dedicated devices and minimally-invasive procedures to treat PAD, venous insufficiency and varicose veins – everything from atherectomy, drug-coated balloon angioplasty, sclerotherapy, vein sealing, venous stenting and more. The field is advancing so quickly – we’re even looking at new interventional treatments for hypertension for patients who can’t get their blood pressure under control with medication. It’s a very rewarding field that’s been exciting to explore alongside my patients.

Q: What do you love most about working with patients?

First of all, I am a social person, so I just enjoy interacting with people overall – but taking care of them is a real privilege. Being a doctor is like problem-solving, so I really enjoy when my patients have a therapeutic response and start feeling better – that’s very fulfilling.

Dr. Pratik Desai is an interventional cardiologist specializing in the treatment of vascular disease such as peripheral arterial disease. He sees patients in Cary, Benson, Dunn and Fuquay-Varina.

This blog is adapted from Heart to Heart Magazine. Subscribe today.