The Keyhole Heart Clinic

12/09/2025

The Aortic Valve: Biology’s Quiet Genius

Which part of your body can survive three billion high-pressure cycles without breaking?

It’s not a bone. It’s not a muscle.
It’s your aortic valve.

Every time your heart beats, this tiny flap opens and closes—holding back pressure equal to shutting a door against a fire hose.

And it does this billions of times in an average lifetime.
Thinner than a fingernail. More reliable than anything humans have ever built.

That’s the quiet genius of biology.

But sometimes, this valve begins to stiffen.

We call it aortic stenosis.

When that happens, the valve doesn’t open wide enough. Blood struggles to flow. And the symptoms can be frightening - breathlessness, chest pain, even blackouts and death!

The good news?
Today, we can replace the aortic valve using minimally invasive techniques.
No broken breastbone. Less pain. Faster recovery.

Will we ever design a man-made valve as resilient as the one you were born with?
Not yet.

11/09/2025

Surgeon vs Patient (After Quadruple Keyhole Coronary Surgery) - A little fun, but also an incredible outcome 😅

We made this video not just to make you smile - but to shine a light on the side of surgery that often doesn’t get enough attention: recovery and long-term results.

Coronary keyhole surgery (minimally invasive bypass) is a groundbreaking procedure that’s changing lives.
✅ Smaller incisions
✅ Shorter hospital stays
✅ Less pain
✅ Faster return to normal life

But here’s what’s even more powerful:

💖 The long-term outcomes.
When done right - with the right surgical technique, patient education, and post-op care - patients not only recover faster but stay healthier longer.

We’re talking about better heart function, fewer complications, improved quality of life, and a real return to doing what you love - whether that’s chasing your grandkids or climbing mountains.

🎓 That’s why we created a FREE WEBINAR - because knowing what to expect and how to prepare can make all the difference in your long-term health.

Join me and learn:
🔍 What exactly is coronary keyhole surgery and how it works
📉 How it compares to traditional open-heart surgery
⏱ What the real recovery timeline looks like
🧠 How to protect your results for the long haul
💪 Tips for lifestyle, movement, and mindset after surgery

Whether you’re a patient, a caregiver, or someone simply exploring your options - this is your chance to get real, honest, surgeon-level insight in a relaxed, easy-to-understand format.

📌 The webinar is FREE and open to all.
🔗 Register now - link is below and watch anytime.
👉 https://webinar.thekeyholeheartclinic.com/on-demand-keyhole-coronary-bypass-webinar

Let’s not just focus on getting through surgery - let’s focus on what life looks like after it. Because with the right approach, that life can be longer, healthier, and more fulfilling than ever. ❤️‍🩹



Join FREE webinar:
https://webinar.thekeyholeheartclinic.com/on-demand-keyhole-coronary-bypass-webinar

08/09/2025

💙 Facing heart surgery can feel overwhelming… but there is a gentler way forward.

https://webinar.thekeyholeheartclinic.com/on-demand-keyhole-coronary-bypass-webinar

In this video, Mr. Inder Birdi, leading Consultant Cardiac Surgeon, explains how Keyhole Heart Surgery can be used for coronary artery bypass - offering patients:
✨ Smaller scars
✨ Faster recovery
✨ Less pain and discomfort
It’s a breakthrough approach that’s already transforming lives.

https://webinar.thekeyholeheartclinic.com/on-demand-keyhole-coronary-bypass-webinar

👉 Click the link below to watch the full video and hear directly from Inder Birdi:

https://webinar.thekeyholeheartclinic.com/on-demand-keyhole-coronary-bypass-webinar

11/08/2025

Perfection isn't a destination... but we're going to try and get as close as possible.

This week, we took 3 days out of the The Keyhole Heart Clinic to take a step back and really assess every single interaction in our patient journey from the first phone call to the last follow up after surgery.

I believed this work was so important that I took the whole team with me.

We convened at Rudding Park Hotel & Golf Park, in Harrogate, and examined every step of the journey our patients experience from the first call to their first rehabilitation session.

💡 How do we ensure that every patient feels heard, acknowledged and supported from the very first interaction and beyond?

💡 Where can we reduce anxiety, uncertainty or resistance?

💡 What does "perfection" mean for someone who is looking to trust someone else with their heart?

💡If we put ourselves in the patients' shoes what would we wish to experience?

Over the past 2 years, we've injected many incremental improvements to our service. This week was schedules to take it to the next level.

The goal?

To ensure our world-class surgical outcome is accompanied by a world-class patient experience.

Because when someone gives us the power to work on their heart, it's not just surgery that we need to be thinking about. It's the restoration of dignity, confidence and trust.

Thank you Rajni, Meredy, Lauren, Liz and Zakiya for their professionalism and dedication to this important process and also to the team at Rudding Park for hosting us like royalty.

Now comes the implementation phase. Cheers to perfection, or as close as humanly possible.

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11/08/2025

HEART Surgeon vs. Patient: The VO₂ Max Showdown

Every so often, a patient challenges me in a way that has nothing to do with the operating theatre.

Recently, I met up with RB, one of the very first people in the world to have a quadruple keyhole coronary bypass through a single small incision.

He’s made a remarkable recovery, so much so that he decided to challenge me to a VO₂ max fitness test at CP+R, the specialist cardiac rehab team I work with.

The question: Who’s fitter the surgeon or the patient?

Richard arrived looking lean and ready. I arrived in my gym kit… and with perhaps a touch too much confidence.

We both pushed hard. I was amazed to see him exercising at a level I’d rarely witnessed after major heart surgery. It’s not often a surgeon gets to experience the same rehab programme his patients go through – and it gave me a whole new respect for the process.

The result? Well you have to watch the video to find out.

All joking aside, this was more than just a friendly competition. It was living proof of what’s possible after minimally invasive heart surgery, combined with expert rehabilitation.

If you or someone you love is facing heart surgery, know this: there is life after the operation, and with the right approach, you could be fitter than ever.

https://youtu.be/1POJUyebUU0

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Surgeon vs. Patient: The VO₂ Max ShowdownLondon, CP+RWhen consultant cardiac surgeon Mr Inder Birdi first met Richard, he was facing the prospect of one of t...

07/07/2025

We are incredibly proud to announce that our Director and Surgeon, Inder Birdi has been recognised by Enterprise World Magazine as one of '𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗯𝗹𝗮𝘇𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗨𝗞 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗰 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 – 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱'!

This insightful feature highlights his pioneering work in advanced cardiac surgery, truly showcasing the dedication and expertise driving medical excellence in the UK. A huge congratulations to Mr. Birdi on this well-deserved recognition!

Click here to read the full article >

Mr. Inderpaul Birdi, a well-known consultant cardiothoracic surgeon and the founder of The Keyhole Heart Clinic.

02/07/2025

We recently reconnected with James, a patient Mr. Birdi treated some time ago, and learned he is now raising money for the British Heart Foundation.

What truly stood out was his quiet determination to turn a difficult experience into something positive – not through grand gestures, but a sincere decision to support a cause that means a lot to James.

It was a powerful reminder that the impact of care goes far beyond the hospital walls. We feel incredibly fortunate to have crossed paths again and to support BHF’s vital work.❤️

24/06/2025

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💬 If your parents or siblings have heart disease, this message is for you.

I was recently asked what one piece of heart advice I’d give... and it’s not just “exercise more” or “cut sugar.”

👨‍⚕️ I’m a heart surgeon - and I want to speak to people with a family history of heart disease.

📈 You’re at higher risk.
🧪 You need to know your numbers (cholesterol, blood pressure, and more).
🫀 And you might want a heart scan before symptoms ever show.

I thought I was fit and healthy. But a simple test revealed early heart disease that even my blood tests didn’t show. That result changed my lifestyle overnight.

🎥 Watch my story - and please share this with someone you love.
It could genuinely save a life.

18/06/2025

𝗜𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹 – 𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴

From Apple Watches to Fitbits and Garmins, wearable gadgets that track your heart have exploded in popularity. These devices can record your heart rate 24/7, tally your steps, analyze your sleep, and even alert you to irregular heart rhythms. It’s a remarkable technological feat – having a sort of mini heart monitor on your wrist at all times. But as more people rely on their smartwatch for insights into their heart health, a critical question arises: How accurate and meaningful is that data? Are these consumer gadgets truly life-saving early warning systems, or can they sometimes lead you astray with false alarms or a false sense of security?

As a heart specialist, I’ve seen both sides. Some patients have literally had their lives saved because their watch picked up an arrhythmia (like atrial fibrillation) that they didn’t know about, prompting them to seek care. On the other hand, I’ve also encountered people who became extremely anxious over innocuous heart rate fluctuations shown on their watch, or who assumed they were fine despite symptoms because “my watch didn’t show anything abnormal.” The truth lies in a nuanced middle ground: smartwatches are useful tools for fitness and awareness, but they have important limitations. Here’s what you need to know about your wearable heart data – when to trust it, and when to be cautious.

Check out our latest blog for insights on wearables and heart health here > https://www.thekeyholeheartclinic.com/blog/is-your-smartwatch-heart-data-actually-useful-or-misleading/?_gl=1

From Apple Watches to Fitbits and Garmins, wearable gadgets that track your heart have exploded in popularity. […]

12/06/2025

This (June 9-15), let's talk about something crucial: the powerful link between men's 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹-𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 and their 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵. It's time to break down stigmas and get proactive!

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀:

- 40% of men avoid talking about mental health.
- Men are 67% more likely to die from common cancers.
- And stress, anxiety & depression can seriously impact your heart! 💔

💡 𝗗𝗶𝗱 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄? 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱 & 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱!
- Depression & Anxiety: Can increase your risk of coronary heart disease by 1.5 to 2 times! Untreated depression after a heart attack triples the risk of death.
- Stress & Hostility: Chronic stress boosts blood pressure and inflammation, accelerating heart problems.
- Behaviours: When mental health suffers, men are more likely to smoke, eat poorly, drink excessively, and avoid exercise – all major heart risks.

𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗰𝘁! Men are often less likely to seek help, and symptoms might show as anger or withdrawal instead of sadness. If you notice any changes in your mood, energy, or experience physical concerns like chest discomfort, don't wait. Consult a healthcare professional and speak openly about how you're feeling.

𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀. 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀.

11/06/2025

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘀, 𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗱𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗽𝗮𝗹𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀?

Heart palpitations are the sensation of feeling your own heartbeat – often described as a fluttering, racing, or pounding in the chest. They can sometimes even be felt in the throat or neck. For many people, palpitations are brief and harmless.

Palpitations are essentially a heightened awareness of your heartbeat. Your heart might feel like it’s skipping beats or fluttering, or like it suddenly starts racing or thumping harder than usual. You might notice this unusual heartbeat sensation in your chest, or even up into your throat and neck. In most cases, the heart’s actual rhythm can be perfectly normal during a palpitation episode – it’s just that you’re feeling it more. Palpitations can last for just a few seconds or for minutes at a time. They often start and stop suddenly.

Explore the full article here >

Introduction Heart palpitations are the sensation of feeling your own heartbeat – often described as a fluttering, […]

07/06/2025

Eid Mubarak! 🌙

Wishing everyone celebrating a lovely time, filled with love and joy!